Rainiel Rodriguez

[scoutyjones2]

The move stateside can come with its share of bumps, but that hasn’t been the case at all for Rodriguez, who hit 10 homers and tied for the Dominican Summer League lead with 25 extra-base hits in 2024. The 18-year-old backstop continues to show at least plus power with six homers through his first 12 games in the Florida Complex League, most among Rookie-ball hitters. His .944 SLG and 1.475 OPS also rank second at the level in this early juncture. Already considered advanced, Rodriguez is slugging even ahead of schedule.

He's a catcher

[BrockFloodMaris]

The move stateside can come with its share of bumps, but that hasn’t been the case at all for Rodriguez, who hit 10 homers and tied for the Dominican Summer League lead with 25 extra-base hits in 2024. The 18-year-old backstop continues to show at least plus power with six homers through his first 12 games in the Florida Complex League, most among Rookie-ball hitters. His .944 SLG and 1.475 OPS also rank second at the level in this early juncture. Already considered advanced, Rodriguez is slugging even ahead of schedule.

He's a catcher

Thanks for the post, Scouty! This kid can mash. I read in here and elsewhere that he may not project as a catcher. Might be too short for 1B, but maybe corner OF. GO DOUBLE R!!

[Ronnie Dobbs]

He's a catcher

Not for long.

[craviduce]

Put him at 2B or 3B....see what he can do. If he's not catching, his in game speed will increase...slightly

[Bully4you]

The move stateside can come with its share of bumps, but that hasn’t been the case at all for Rodriguez, who hit 10 homers and tied for the Dominican Summer League lead with 25 extra-base hits in 2024. The 18-year-old backstop continues to show at least plus power with six homers through his first 12 games in the Florida Complex League, most among Rookie-ball hitters. His .944 SLG and 1.475 OPS also rank second at the level in this early juncture. Already considered advanced, Rodriguez is slugging even ahead of schedule.

He's a catcher

Does this kid look 18 to you?
He's got that Dominican Republic birth certificate.

https://x.com/CardsPlayerDev/status/192 ... eek-awards

[JDW]

So the age question, lol.
Well, let the speculation begin.
Last time we had that it worked out pretty well.

[MrPostman01]

Double r eh? Time to practice!

Erre con erre cigarro
Erre con erre barril
Rapido corren los carritos
por la carretera
del ferrocarril.

[billybaseball]

So RR's story is very similar to Alex Reyes. He was born in the states but moved to the DR with family because his family couldn't afford the youth baseball scam. So he moved to the DR to get cheaper training. According to Kyle Reis during his Cardinals Nation chat, he has been projected by scouts to be at least a top 30 pick in this year's draft had he stayed in the states.

[scoutyjones2]

The move stateside can come with its share of bumps, but that hasn’t been the case at all for Rodriguez, who hit 10 homers and tied for the Dominican Summer League lead with 25 extra-base hits in 2024. The 18-year-old backstop continues to show at least plus power with six homers through his first 12 games in the Florida Complex League, most among Rookie-ball hitters. His .944 SLG and 1.475 OPS also rank second at the level in this early juncture. Already considered advanced, Rodriguez is slugging even ahead of schedule.

He's a catcher

Does this kid look 18 to you?
He's got that Dominican Republic birth certificate.

https://x.com/CardsPlayerDev/status/192 ... eek-awards

Yes

[Futuregm2]

The move stateside can come with its share of bumps, but that hasn’t been the case at all for Rodriguez, who hit 10 homers and tied for the Dominican Summer League lead with 25 extra-base hits in 2024. The 18-year-old backstop continues to show at least plus power with six homers through his first 12 games in the Florida Complex League, most among Rookie-ball hitters. His .944 SLG and 1.475 OPS also rank second at the level in this early juncture. Already considered advanced, Rodriguez is slugging even ahead of schedule.

He's a catcher

Does this kid look 18 to you?
He's got that Dominican Republic birth certificate.

https://x.com/CardsPlayerDev/status/192 ... eek-awards

He was born in the United States

[rockondlouie]

The move stateside can come with its share of bumps, but that hasn’t been the case at all for Rodriguez, who hit 10 homers and tied for the Dominican Summer League lead with 25 extra-base hits in 2024. The 18-year-old backstop continues to show at least plus power with six homers through his first 12 games in the Florida Complex League, most among Rookie-ball hitters. His .944 SLG and 1.475 OPS also rank second at the level in this early juncture. Already considered advanced, Rodriguez is slugging even ahead of schedule.

He's a catcher

Thx for sharing

Man C. Bloom is going to have some Catching trade chips to work with!

"Need a catcher, call the Cardinals".

[RunSup]

Double r eh? Time to practice!

Erre con erre cigarro
Erre con erre barril
Rapido corren los carritos
por la carretera
del ferrocarril.

Rrrtrtrrtrttrtt

[peterman'srealitytour]

So RR's story is very similar to Alex Reyes. He was born in the states but moved to the DR with family because his family couldn't afford the youth baseball scam. So he moved to the DR to get cheaper training. According to Kyle Reis during his Cardinals Nation chat, he has been projected by scouts to be at least a top 30 pick in this year's draft had he stayed in the states.

Thanks for providing this background.

[RunSup]

Wednesday with Walton on the Scoops podcast has a report on Raniel Rodriguez

https://www.scoopswithdannymac.com/wedn ... y-21-2025/

Born in Pennsylvania. Moved to DR. He's really only 5'8" right now. But that fits with most recent Cardinal draft theme. Maybe a late growth spurt comes?

His bat will travel. Defense behind the plate is lagging his bat. So those speculating about 2B, 3B, or OF are likely spot on. Not sure if the Cardinals have moved him around defensively yet.

[scoutyjones2]

The move stateside can come with its share of bumps, but that hasn’t been the case at all for Rodriguez, who hit 10 homers and tied for the Dominican Summer League lead with 25 extra-base hits in 2024. The 18-year-old backstop continues to show at least plus power with six homers through his first 12 games in the Florida Complex League, most among Rookie-ball hitters. His .944 SLG and 1.475 OPS also rank second at the level in this early juncture. Already considered advanced, Rodriguez is slugging even ahead of schedule.

He's a catcher

Does this kid look 18 to you?
He's got that Dominican Republic birth certificate.

https://x.com/CardsPlayerDev/status/192 ... eek-awards

He was born in the United States

Bully4poo is illiterate

[Futuregm2]

Wednesday with Walton on the Scoops podcast has a report on Raniel Rodriguez

https://www.scoopswithdannymac.com/wedn ... y-21-2025/

Born in Pennsylvania. Moved to DR. He's really only 5'8" right now. But that fits with most recent Cardinal draft theme. Maybe a late growth spurt comes?

His bat will travel. Defense behind the plate is lagging his bat. So those speculating about 2B, 3B, or OF are likely spot on. Not sure if the Cardinals have moved him around defensively yet.

In games he’s only been a catcher or DH so far. Whether they’ve had him practice any other positions, I wouldn’t know.