Skip to main content

Phils prospect Rodriguez hits for cycle in VZ League

herlis
Herlis Rodriguez, image- Jay Floyd
For those who haven't realized that off-season baseball leagues are underway, Phillies outfield prospect Herlis Rodriguez served up an news flash about the action that's already popping off, as he hit for the cycle on Saturday in Zulia's 16-3 win over La Guairá in the Venezuelan Winter League.

As the nine-hole hitter for the Aguilas, the 22-year-old lefty batter, who spent his 2016 regular season this year with Class A Advanced Clearwater, got his night rolling with a run scoring double in the 2nd inning. In the 3rd inning, Rodriguez would single home another pair of runs.

After grounding into a double play in his next at bat, Rodriguez, who played center field and left field in the game, would slug a home run in the 6th, leaving him a triple shy of the rare feat. In his last plate appearance of the night, the native of Colon, VZ would lace a triple deep to right field that scored a pair of runs that completed the onslaught for Zulia in the rout of their rival.

It's hard to imagine a more exciting outing for an offensive player, but Rodriguez added to the cycle and his seven RBI with a steal on home. Yes, he also stole home plate in the 2nd inning.

With a record of 3-0 thus far in the VZ League, Zulia has scored double digits in each of its contest, outscoring opponents by a combined score of 39-18.

In the regular season this year, the six-foot 170-pound Rodriguez posted a slash line of .213/.282/.277 in 48 games for the Threshers. He missed much of the season with two separate stints on the disabled list.

Also in Saturday's game for Zulia, designated hitter Wilson Garcia went 3-for-6 while shortstop William Cuicas went 0-for-1. Both Garcia and Cuicas played with Class A Lakewood this season.

For La Guairá, first baseman Brock Stassi was 0-for-2 with three walks in the contest. Stassi, was the Double-A Eastern League Most Valuable Player as a member of the Reading roster last year. In 117 games for Triple-A Lehigh Valley this year, the 27-year-old lefty batter posted a .267 average with 12 home runs and 58 RBI.

Several other Phillies prospects are in action in Venezuela, including outfielder Carlos Tocci and lefty reliever Hoby Milner.

The Arizona Fall League, which will feature Phillies hurlers Brandon Leibrandt, Miguel Nunez and Jeff Singer along with second baseman Scott Kingery, third baseman Mitch Walding and outfielder Aaron Brown, is slated to open its season this coming Tuesday, October 11th.

Additionally, the Mexican Pacific League will open its season on Sunday, October 9th, the Dominican Winter League opens next Saturday October 15th and the Puerto Rican League, also known as the Roberto Clemente League, holds its opening day on October 30th. Further abroad, the Australian Baseball League doesn't begin until November 17th.

This article originally appeared on Phillies Nation.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

PhoulBallz Interview: BlueClaws OF Justin Crawford

Justin Crawford w/ junior reporter Evan At the age of 19, outfielder Justin Crawford has played his way into the conversation of being considered as one of baseball's top prospects. The son of four-time MLB All-Star Carl Crawford, Justin has looked every bit as impressive as his position as the 17th overall draft selection last year would have most fans thinking he should be.  He opened the season with Class A Clearwater where, in 69 games, he notched a .344/.399/.478 slash line.  And since mid-August when he was promoted to Class A Advanced Jersey Shore, the younger Crawford has posted a .300/.364/.440 line.  He's also stolen 44 bases in 52 attempts overall. And while the BlueClaws enter the final week of the regular season 1/2 game out of first place in their division, I spoke with Justin Crawford about the team's hopes of making the postseason for the first time since 2018. I also asked Justin about the similarities and differences between his skillset and his father'

Jersey Shore clinches playoff berth on final day of regular season

Ottto Kemp, image- Jay Floyd With an extra-inning victory over first-half division champions Hudson Valley on Sunday, the Class A Advanced Jersey Shore BlueClaws clinched the team's first playoff appearance since 2018, winning the second-half division title. Key performers in the BlueClaws' clincher were righty hurler Jason Ruffcorn, who threw three innings of relief to earn the victory and third baseman Otto Kemp, notched three hits, a walk, two stolen bases and plated the game winning run in the 11th inning on a sacrifice fly.  On top of that, Kemp, who turned 24-years-old on Saturday, made an absolute game-saving defensive play to help the club hold their lead in the bottom of the 11th frame. One of Jersey Shore's most consistent performers all season long has been right-handed reliever Cam Wynne.  The Phillies' 20th round draft pick in 2021 out of Nebraska.  In 34 appearances, one start, the 24-year-old tallied a 1-1 record with one save, a 2.44 ERA and a .190 batti

RHP Pipkin headed to AFL after hot August

After completing what was easily the best month of his career, righty hurler Dominic Pipkin is ready to face the tough competition of the prominent Arizona Fall Leage.   Pipkin, who was the Phillies' 9th round draft selection in 2018, has had moderate success in his five years as a pro, posting a 4.93 ERA, a 7.6 K/9 mark and a .260 batting average against mostly at the lower levels on the minors. After missing time this year with an unspecified ailment, the six-foot-four 170-pounder proved to be healthy as he dominated AA competition in nine appearances with the Reading Fightin Phils during August.  Pipkin's impressive production resulted in a 1-0 record with a save and a 0.96 ERA while striking out eight and walking three in 9 1/3 innings. The California native says his efforts to improve have helped him touch 100 MPH on the radar gun, while his fastball velocity is mostly around 96 MPH.   Pipkin's arsenal includes that improved fastball as well as a slider while his curve