Blue Jays sign infielder to minor league deal

Rodriguez, from the Dominican Republic, was originally signed by the Kansas City Royals as an International Free Agent back in 2019. After a couple of years in the Dominican Summer League, Rodriguez made his stateside debut with the ACL Royals in 2021. He eventually the Quad Cities River Bandits - Kansas City's High-A Team - in 2024.

However, he was released at the end of March as part of a minor league roster crunch.

Still just 22, the Blue Jays clearly see something in both his bat and his glove. Although listed as a shortstop on the transaction website, he has spent most of his minor league career as a second baseman, appearing at the position 240 times. He does have some positional versatility having played a handful of games at third and a couple at short.

On the offensive side of things, Rodriguez doesn't boast a ton of power, but has a decent on-base percentage, hits a lot of doubles, and steals a ton of bases. In a 2024, split between Columbia and Quad Cities, he swiped 20 bags, and has 58 for his career.

It's a signing that continues a pattern for the Blue Jays, who have made a habit of adding low-cast, low-risk, high-reward athletic, versatile players. Rodriguez fits that mold to a tee.

Given that he already has experience in High-A, Rodriguez could move up to Vancouver sooner rather than later. However, the Blue Jays would like to see what they have before doing so.

Either way, it's a great depth signing for the team.