No. 9 Elorky Rodriguez can hit but frame needs to fill out

SURPRISE, Ariz. — In late January, after the Texas Rangers swung a deal that sent significant prospect capital east to improve the major league roster, general manager Ross Fenstermaker rationalized the club’s moves as “the price we pay in order to compete.”

Oh, yeah, they’ve paid a price.

The Rangers have dealt eight top 30 prospects, per MLB Pipeline’s evaluations, since last summer’s trade deadline. They shipped three to the Arizona Diamondbacks for right-handed pitcher Merrill Kelly to bolster their rotation midseason and another five to the Washington Nationals for MacKenzie Gore last month to do the same thing. That’s the cost of big league improvement.

It’ll also ding the depth of a farm system. The Rangers have the No. 22 farm system per ESPN, the No. 24 farm system per Baseball America and the No. 25 farm system per USA TODAY. The success of the farm system, much like the major league roster, will be predicated on how a number of position player prospects respond to down seasons.

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Baseball America, which hasn’t ranked the club’s system this low since the 2021 season, said it “needs major rebounds from its near-proximity prospects to supplement the big league roster.”

Their collective progression will determine where the farm stands this time next year. Until then, we continue our daily countdown of The Dallas Morning News’ top 30 prospects.

No. 9: 2B Elorky Rodriguez

Age: 18

Height/weight: 5-10, 175

B/T: L/R

Who he is: The Rangers signed Rodriguez, a native of the Dominican Republic, to a $1.09 million bonus last year. He was the No. 29 international amatuer free agent in his class, per MLB Pipeline, and the top-ranked player in the club’s class. He promptly backed that up with a .337/.473/.506 slash line in 46 games to start his professional career in the Dominican Summer League.

Why he’s here: His overall hit tool is among the best in the organization, and he boasts what MLB Pipeline describes as “short levers and a quick, compact left-handed swing.” He walked more times (39) than he struck out (38) last season and posted a relatively low 9% swinging strike percentage. Against right-handed pitchers, he posted a 1.013 OPS and 15 of his 17 extra base hits. Among all 17-year-olds who played in the DSL last season, Rodriguez ranked top 10 in average, on base percentage, on base plus slugging percentage and wRC+.

What’s his future: The teenager’s potential is tied to his growth. There’s questions as to how much more power he can add to his somewhat slight frame, which may limit his upside as a hitter, and to whether he can stick at second base or not. Rodriguez’ “exit velocities were a bit underwhelming” last season per Baseball America, though the Rangers have great trust in their strength and conditioning department to maximize the physical capabilities of their young players. If he can’t remain in the infield, left field is an option, though his bat becomes even more important if that becomes the case. Rodriguez may have a long-term floor as a left-handed platoon option against right-handed pitchers, but if his power improves, and if he shows that he can hit more advanced southpaws stateside, he certainly profiles as one of the best hitters in the organization.

Where he’ll start; MLB ETA: Arizona Complex League; 2031

Rangers’ top 30 prospects

No. 30: RHP Mason McConnaughey

No. 29: OF Braylin Morel

No. 28: RHP Frandel Pineda

No. 27: LHP Josh Trentadue

No. 26: RHP Paul Bonzagni

No. 25: OF Maxton Martin

No. 24: LHP Ben Abeldt

No. 23: OF Paulino Santana

No. 22: LHP Dalton Pence

No. 21: RHP Izack Tiger