Johnathan Rodriguez
Position: OF
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 224 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 11/04/1999
High School: Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy (Florida, Puerto Rico)
How Acquired: Trade (with Orioles)
Drafted: 3rd round, 102nd Overall, 2017 (Indians)
Bonus: $450,000
40-man Roster: Yes
Rule 5 Eligible: N/A
Minor League Free Agency: N/A
Options Left: 1
Overview
Cleveland drafted Rodriguez in 2017 due to his power potential. He was also one of the youngest players in the draft. He’s shown good power in the minors, with very high exit velocities, but he’s vulnerable to offspeed and breaking pitches. In the majors, pitchers haven’t thrown him many fastballs, and swing-and-miss has been a problem. He’s strictly a corner outfielder, with below average speed and defense. He does have a very strong arm. He was designated for assignment twice in 2026, with the Pirates acquiring him for cash after the Orioles dfa’d him.
2017-20
Rodriguez spent three years in short season ball. He hit reasonably well, with an OPS of .715-76 each year. His K rate was 19-20% in two years in rookie ball, but it was 26% the third year, in the New York-Penn League. He didn’t play during the pandemic year.
2021-23
In 2021, Rodriguez went to low A, although he also missed some time due to injury. He hit well there, batting 314/363/450. He didn’t walk much, but his K rate was passable at 23%. In 24 late-season games he had a .653 OPS in high A.
Rodriguez went back to high A for the bulk of 2022 and had a breakout season. In 79 games he hit 292/346/573 with 21 home runs. That came with more strikeouts, at a 29% rate. The Guardians moved him up to AA for 28 games and he hit five more home runs, but had just a .688 OPS and a 5:43 BB:K.
In 2023, Rodriguez made it to AAA, playing 47 games there after 88 in AA. He put up good numbers at both spots, an .876 OPS in AA and .936 in AAA. His walk rate was OK at 10% but his K rate was 29%. Cleveland added Rodriguez to its 40-man roster after the season.
2024-26
In both 2024 and 2025, Rodriguez spent most of the season in AAA and got a brief stint in the majors. He hit very well in AAA in both seasons. In 2024 he hit 301/390/540 with 29 home runs. The next year, 312/397/515 with 16 home runs in fewer games. His walk rate was 12% both years, his K rate 25% the first year and 23% the second. Rodriguez struggled in the majors, with a .486 OPS in 2024 and .626 in 2025.
In March 2026, the Guardians designated Rodriguez for assignment and then traded him to Baltimore. With the Orioles, Rodriguez again spent most of his time in AAA, but didn’t hit for the same power as before, putting up a 270/370/391 line. His K rate was down to 21%, so maybe he was trying to cut down on his swing. In the majors he went 2-for-11. Baltimore dfa’d Rodriguez in late July and traded him to the Pirates.
Stats
Transactions
June 13, 2021: Drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 3rd round, 102nd overall pick; signed June 24.
November 3, 2023: Contract purchased by the Cleveland Guardians.
March 29, 2026: Traded by the Cleveland Guardians to the Baltimore Orioles for Carter Rustad.
July 27, 2026: Traded by the Baltimore Orioles to the Pittsburgh Pirates for cash considerations.