Hector RodriguezHow did he get here?: Signed as free agent (2008)
Stats: 5'11" 150 lbs, Bats: Right Throws: Right
Hometown/Birthplace: Dominican Republic
Age as of April 1, 2011: 21
Position: IF
2010 Men of the Match: 1
2010 Overview
| PA | Avg/OBP/SLG | K:BB | XBH-RBI | K/PA% | XBH/H% |
| 123 | .303/.314/.370 | 25:1 | 7-9 | 20.3% | 19.4% |
2008-09
| Year | Team | PA | Avg/OBP/SLG | K:BB | XBH-RBI | K/PA% | XBH/H% |
| 2008 | DSL | 116 | .214/.296/.214 | 29:10 | 0-6 | 25% | 0% |
| 2009 | DSL | 220 | .269/.339/.340 | 30:18 | 13-10 | 13.6% | 24.5% |
What happened?
Rodriguez, as you can see, spent two seasons in the DSL and made the jump over the GCL, coming straight to Greeneville, where he hit for a good average - mostly singles. His average has risen steadily since his first season in the DSL - from .214 to .269 to .303 in the last three seasons, respectively. Of all the Gastros playing in 40+ games, Rodriguez had the 3rd-highest AVG.
In the field, Rodriguez played 29 of his 43 games at 3B, making five errors for a .923 Fld%, and 13 games at SS, posting an impressive .983 Fld%.
What went right?
Hitting lefties. In 47 ABs, Rodriguez hit .362/.375/.447, compared to .264/.274/.319 against RHP.
Away games. In 65 ABs away from Greeneville, Rodriguez posted a .369/.388/.477 line - 402 points higher than his home game OPS.
What went wrong?
Walks. Rodriguez can strike out, but it's not an overwhelming percentage. And he didn't historically walk a whole lot, either. But to draw one walk in 123 plate appearances is brutal, particularly when he spent most of his time in the #9 spot.
Hitting w/RISP. It didn't happen often, but in 27 ABs, Rodriguez hit .222/.222/.296 with runners in scoring position.
Appy Astros says:
He was one of my favorite kids on the team this year. Not because of his play necessarily but because of his attitude. He was the first guy out of the dug out to welcome players off the field when an inning ended. He had a unique whistle noise he would make in the field or in the dugout when some one made a good play or when a pitcher made a good pitch. Occasionally, you would hear other players echo the whistle back to him. It was clear, he was having fun at the ball park.
I could see Rodriguez repeating at Greeneville, working on that pitch selection, before getting sent up a level. He'll be 22 next August, so time is on his side, and he did well in his first season in the States - particularly with his glove.
