Henry Rodriguez

[MikeS21]

Originally Posted by JaysFanToronto

E5 really is hitting well this year, you're right. I just thought you guys would have bad memories about him. Right now he's arguably our best hitter FWIW

Love that! I think "E5" was his nickname around here, too.

[OesterPoster]

Trying to follow HRod on Twitter results in brushing up my high school Spanish...or using Google Translate:

From one of HRod's Spanish speaking friends:
"Your name is mentioned much Henry to be the player that the Reds will rise, I hope that this is a brother, very lucky."

And his response just an hour ago (not much insight...sorry):

Henry Rodríguez ‏@HenryRod39
@CMORENOLOPEZ muchas gracias brother

[camisadelgolf]

Todd Redmond is apparently getting the call as insurance in case Cueto's blister becomes a problem early. Alfredo Simon is unavailable for the game after throwing three innings last night.

[mdccclxix]

Was looking at some splits today, his ISO vs RHP as a LHB is something puny like .021. I don't know what that lack of power would mean in Cincinnati. It's the lowest I remember seeing. Doug, any thoughts on this? I know you've brought up his splits in the past.

[dougdirt]

Originally Posted by mdccclxix

Was looking at some splits today, his ISO vs RHP as a LHB is something puny like .021. I don't know what that lack of power would mean in Cincinnati. It's the lowest I remember seeing. Doug, any thoughts on this? I know you've brought up his splits in the past.

His power is pretty limited to the pull side from both sides of the plate. Makes sense, he isn't a big guy, so turning his hips is going to allow him to get the most power he can.

In 2010 he was more powerful as a lefty. In 2011 he showed more power as a righty. Right now, I wouldn't worry too much about his power. We don't know much about how Pensacola plays just yet, just rumors from players who have been there (where they say its very tough to hit it out to right field). In Louisville he is coming off of a hand injury, so take that with a bit of a grain of salt as well.

[mdccclxix]

Thanks. Being AVG dependent, I'm still concerned we see his mlb AVG drop, thus his real value at the plate. Where I was once ready to see him in Cincy right away, I can understand if we don't until NEXT September or later as he refines all areas of his game and perhaps runs into some more power.

[TOBTTReds]

Originally Posted by mdccclxix

Thanks. Being AVG dependent, I'm still concerned we see his mlb AVG drop, thus his real value at the plate. Where I was once ready to see him in Cincy right away, I can understand if we don't until NEXT September or later as he refines all areas of his game and perhaps runs into some more power.

No real reason to not bring him up this Sept though. Switch hitter, could always use a PR for Scotty or catchers.

[Jamz]

Personally I know that Snider was mentioned in this topic and I would do something with Rodriguez for Snider. Snider is still young, is a left fielder and has hit at every level. I would take him on this team.

[Scrap Irony]

An interesting side note to Rodriguez-- the kids almost never makes an error. Really, really sure hands. Four E's all year. In that respect, he's the anti-EdE.

[rgslone]

Originally Posted by Scrap Irony

An interesting side note to Rodriguez-- the kids almost never makes an error. Really, really sure hands. Four E's all year. In that respect, he's the anti-EdE.

Do you think he has the glove and arm to be an average defensive MLB 3B? Also, do you think he projects better at 2B or 3B?

[Scrap Irony]

Not a great arm, but he can get it to 1B from 3B.

At 2B, he's short a step in range, IMO.

I'd personally play him at 2B, watch him go .310/ .350/ .450, and deal with the lack of range. He has really sure hands and won't screw up what he gets to.

But Phillips is there. So that won't work.

The next most logical move, IMO, is to play him everywhere on the infield. 2B, SS, 3B-- pull a Tony Phillips.

[RedlegJake]

Originally Posted by Scrap Irony

The next most logical move, IMO, is to play him everywhere on the infield. 2B, SS, 3B-- pull a Tony Phillips.

That's what I see ideally for Henry if he sticks with the Reds and isn't traded. Votto first base, BP at second, Zack at short, Todd at third, Didi the defensive specialist backing SS and HRod the play everywhere sub and switch hitter off the bench. That's a darn good infield and pretty good bench too. HRod would still get 400 ABs in that arrangement if can play some left too.

If Zack doesn't get is stroke back he might just lose that starting job to Didi though, if Didi keeps hitting with some pop and can maintain a higher average and OBP. I'd see Zack getting traded then - I don't really envision him as a bench player for some reason..

[rgslone]

Originally Posted by RedlegJake

That's what I see ideally for Henry if he sticks with the Reds and isn't traded. Votto first base, BP at second, Zack at short, Todd at third, Didi the defensive specialist backing SS and HRod the play everywhere sub and switch hitter off the bench. That's a darn good infield and pretty good bench too. HRod would still get 400 ABs in that arrangement if can play some left too.

If Zack doesn't get is stroke back he might just lose that starting job to Didi though, if Didi keeps hitting with some pop and can maintain a higher average and OBP. I'd see Zack getting traded then - I don't really envision him as a bench player for some reason..

Sounds like a pretty nice plan to me. From what Scrap Irony said, HRod's defense as a full-time starter may not be ideal at any one position; but if he continues to hit as he always has he needs to be on the field somewhere. My question on that, however, is can you really get him 400 ABs in that role. Assuming he hits at the ML level comparable to what he has done in the minors, then you're going to want him hitting in the lienup most days. So, I come back to the idea that maybe you start him at 3B (or where ever) and live with any slight deficiency that may exist defensively. I don't know which way will work best, but I'm excited about a switch hitter in the pipeline who makes excellent contact - any team (this year's team for example) could certainly use one (or two) of those guys.

As for Didi being a defensive specialist, I think that he's probably shown enough already to say that's likely his floor. I think he's got a good chance to end up being a top 1/3 starting SS in the league. If that happens, I believe he or Cozart would have to be traded. At that point, both Cozart and Didi would be too valuable to put one on the bench when they could bring a good return in a trade - good defensive SS who can hit don't grow on trees, and I think both will hit. Also, you wouldn't want to move either off of SS - their defense is too good and their bats wouldn't play as well anywhere else (i.e., they lose a ton of value at another position).

[Scrap Irony]

I'd deal one of Cozart or Gregorius soon. Trade Value 101 says that you deal them at their highest point, if possible. Playing bench jockey isn't very high, even if it is at the major league level.

Rodriguez, otoh, could very well get 400 ABs in a super-sub role. Phillips is gettinng older and Rodriguez, because he's a switch-hitter, could let him rest once or twice a week. With Cozart, it's about match-ups and getting a better offensive player in the game. With Frazier, it could be rest, or it could allow Frazier to spell Votto at 1B, Ludwick (or whomever) in LF, and Bruce (or whomever) in RF. If Bruce sits for most southpaws, you're now talking somewhere between 400-500 ABs in the second hole being manned by a guy that has doubles power, a high BA, and doesn't K much at all.

As an added bonus, the versatility of both Rodriguez and Frazier should allow the Reds to add a PH specialist who needs not play the field all that much-- a professional hitter/ DH type for late-game situations or games against AL teams away. (Think Jason Giambi.) It's a luxury to have, but may mean the difference in close games throughout the year. You'd play Heisey (or whomever) as a CF backup (who can also play the other corner OF spots) and whatever backup catcher needed to round out the bench. There's not a weak sister in that bench.

[rgslone]

I enjoy the opinions being shared here. I think speculating about HRod's future use at the MLB level is not only entertaining, but also a topic ripe for discussion now that he is in AAA and performing well. That means he's on the cusp, and soon he's going to be considered either a 4A type player or a major league contributor (etiher for the Reds or someone else).