Baseball America has the low down on some of the most recent international signings of the Cardinals, one being somewhat of a high profile player in one Ryde Rodriguez, a 19 year old Cuban defector who played last season in the Nicaraguan League last year. They spent $460K and while I like that commitment to player investment, one scout was less then enthused about Ryde.
Rodriguez just finished playing for Boer in the Nicaraguan League, and aside from poor numbers, he hit just .242 and hit no home runs, apparently the five-tool tag is about 4 1/2 tools too much.
“This guy is the king of jam shots,” a scout from an American League club said. “He has this shoulder swing and he can’t elevate. And this was in BP. The guy looked like he was swinging with a wet Baseball America . . . in BP.
“The body is great–looks like Ruben Sierra. 40 runner, with maybe a 55 arm, but he’s not accurate with his throws at all. People have told me he played in the amateur league in Cuba, but there’s no way.
“Cubans don’t play baseball like that.”
Zounds. Maybe he caught him on a sick day or something because he had been reported as having above-average speed, and 70 raw power. I don’t know what to believe, but I’ll give the Cards the benefit of the doubt that they’ve done their homework. Rodriguez is a switch hitter.
BA also reported that the Cardinals have signed 16-year-old Venezuelan catcher Kevin Moscatel, for $350K, and Venezuelan right-hander Javier Avendano for $100 grand, making it nearly a mil spent on three players. While I like to see that, that scouting report on Rodriguez is pretty scary stuff.
Filed under: International signings, Kevin Moscatel, Ryde Rodriguez
erik
azruavatar
fewgoodcards
roarke49
theredbaaron
Ryde was my backup in rightfield for the majority of the Nicaraguan league season in 2006-2007 and I can tell you two things for sure. First off, he IS 18 (as of that year) and secondly, for an 18 year-old the kid is UNBELIEVABLE. He has a great work ethic, is a devout christian, and a hell of a ballplayer. He’s strong as an ox and has an absolute cannon for an arm. He definitely has all 5 tools but he just needs experience for all of them to blossom. And in a prime example of numbers lying, he DID hit .242 but that was in only 62 AB, almost all as a pinch-hitter. This kid definitely has a bright future ahead of him.
Ryde Rodriguez is really one the best player that the league has .
I really dont know what you guys are talkin about .
The kid is really good , and i can asure he puts effort into what he is doing.
I would be really happy to see him in a mayor league.