2022 Pacific Northwest Sports Top 10: Number 7 – Julio Rodriguez
It all started to turn for him on April 24 against Kansas City. The rookie went 2-for-4 with a double, his first multi-hit game of the season. Additionally, he had 2 RBI, scored a run, and the M’s won 4-1. That increased his average from .136 to .167.
Then he did it again the next game with another 2-for-4. He had a double, scored two runs, stole a base, and raised his average to .192. He picked up hits in six of seven games.
The calendar turned from April (.206) to May, and Julio took off. He was already hitting well over the final 8 games of April, raising his average by 69 points. The Seattle Mariners opened May in Miami. Julio launched his first career home run, a 450-foot rocket. He also had his first Major League 3-hit game, and his average climbed to .234 on the season.
May proved to be one of his best months as a professional (minors or majors). He had 9 multi-hit games, and 6 of them were 3 or more hits. J-Rod also had his first ever four-hit game against the Mets in an 8-7 victory, where he hit his second career home run. He would finish May batting .309 with a .866 OPS, 5 steals, all 6 of his home runs, 17 RBIs, and a total of 11 extra base hits.
June has proven to be just as strong for Julio as he became more patient at the plate and, as of this article has an OPS of .893, which is better than his May numbers. He’s batting .288 and has scored 19 runs.
THERE IT IS!
Julio Rodriguez hits his first Major League home run! pic.twitter.com/2tStk104F1
— ROOT SPORTS™ | NW (@ROOTSPORTS_NW) May 1, 2022