Sean Rodriguez has had his power stroke going for him early in the season. Through his first 17 at-bats he has hit three home runs and is on a hot streak at the plate.
Coming into the 2016 season, if I told you that Sean Rodriguez would lead the Pittsburgh Pirates in home runs at any point of the season you would look at me like I was nuts. Well, 18 games in and that is the case as Rodriguez currently has a team leading three home runs in 14 games played. His approach at the plate has greatly improved and he had driven in a lot of runs for the Pirates off the bench.
Last season off the bench, Rodriguez hit .246 with four home runs and 17 RBI. 14 games into the 2016 season and he has already almost hit the amount of home runs he hit last year and he has half of the RBI. Rodriguez's defense is one of the most reliable on the entire Pirates team, but if this offense production stays consistent it could take him to the next level.
Rodriguez has not been known as much of a power guy throughout the course of his career. His highest home run total came in 2011 when he hit 20 with the Tamp Bay Rays. Other than that he has been anywhere from a 10-15 home run guy which s average for a major league player. The power bat has definitely been out early on for Rodriguez and with it comes some much needed offensive production off the bench.
The only current threat off the Pirates bench is outfielder Matt Joyce. Other than that you have the light hitting Jason Rodgers and backup catcher Chris Stewart, who wont see much time as a pinch hitter. If the Pirates can have two reliable bats off the bench, it will go a long way to success offensively in 2016.
Currently, Rodriguez is hitting .412 with three home runs and nine RBI in just 14 games played. He has been seeing more action recently due to the number of left-handed pitchers the Pirates have faced. It also has given John Jaso some much needed rest from the regular lineup. Jaso only faced a small amount of left-handed pitching last season accumulating four hits in 13 at-bats. As a result, the Pirates want to get a right handed bat in the lineup on the days that a left-handed pitcher is starting for the opposing team.
More than 57% of Rodriguez's hits this season have gone for extra bases (four of seven hits). Each of these extra base hits has produced a run as well with the three home runs and an RBI double against the Cardinals in the first series of the year, Rodriguez has done a nice job of driving in runs for the Pirates and making things happen especially in the late going of ball games.
The numbers on Rodriguez go beyond just home runs however. He has also been a very patient hitter at the plate with six walks this season and only four strikeouts in 17 at-bats. He has averaged 4.00 pitches per at-bat and has really made pitchers work on the mound, This is key when coming off the bench and has been a key aspect of Rodriguez's approach at the plate. He has been waiting for his pitch and has been taking advantage of his pitches when they come across the plate.
As the Pirates super utility man, Rodriguez has appeared at first base, third base, shortstop, left field, and right field. With the ability to play many positions on the field, there is many opportunities for Rodriguez's bat to be a part of the Pirates lineup if he can produce consistently. Rodriguez might just force his way into the Pirates lineup with the offensive production he has put out so far this season.
Rodriguez and the Pirates are back in action this afternoon when they finish up a three game series in Arizona against the Diamondbacks. The pitching match-up will be Robbie Ray (1-0 1.96) for the Diamondbacks versus Francisco Liriano (1-1 4.11) for the Pirates. First pitch from Chase Field is scheduled for 4:10 p.m.
No comments:
Post a Comment