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Cardinals' Rainiel Rodriguez: Makes start at first base
Rotowire
Rodriguez made his first career professional start at first base with High-A Peoria on Saturday.
After starting at catcher and homering in the season opener Friday, Rodriguez was used at first base Saturday and went 0-for-3 with a walk. All indications are that the Cardinals will continue to develop Rodriguez as a catcher, but they have lots of organizational depth at the position and it's the 19-year-old's bat that will carry him. If Rodriguez does eventually move to first base or another less physically taxing position, it could accelerate his ascension to the big leagues.
Rodriguez was promoted from Single-A Palm Beach to High-A Peoria on Thursday.
Rodriguez has demolished Florida Complex League and Florida State League pitching thus far, slashing .275/.405/.567 with 20 home runs and a 63:54 K:BB over 80 games covering the two stops. The 18-year-old will now get his feet wet in the Midwest League before Peoria's season concludes Sunday. Rodriguez has established himself as one of the best young power-hitting prospects in baseball.
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Cardinals' Rainiel Rodriguez: Homers in full-season debut
Rotowire
Rodriguez went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run Tuesday in his first game with Single-A Palm Beach.
Rodriguez had been promoted earlier in the day from the rookie-level Florida Complex League, where he had slashed a ridiculous .362/.506/.828 with seven home runs and a 15:16 K:BB over 19 games. At 18, he's one of the youngest players in full-season ball. There are questions as to whether Rodriguez will be able to stick at catcher, but he's become one of the better power-hitting prospects in the low minors, slugging 18 homers in 62 contests.
