Peoria Chiefs: Rainiel Rodriguez

The Cardinal Chronicle
Minor League Player of the Day
St. Louis, MO
By Ray Mileur

Rodriguez Brings the Thunder in Peoria Win

Rainiel Rodriguez did not need a full box score to make his presence felt Tuesday night.

The Peoria Chiefs catcher, one of the top prospects in the St. Louis Cardinals' system, delivered the swing that changed the tone of the night—launching a solo home run to left field in the fourth inning to tie the game at 1-1 against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.

That was only part of his impact.

Rodriguez later reached after being hit by a pitch, stole second, advanced to third on a flyout and scored on a defensive mistake at the plate. It was the kind of sequence that shows why he is more than just a power bat. He can change an inning with strength, instincts and pressure.

Peoria went on to beat Wisconsin, 5-3, before a season-high crowd of 6,003 at Dozer Park, giving the Cardinals' minor league system its lone win on a rain-shortened night across the organization.

Rodriguez continues to look like one of the most important young hitters in the system. The tools are loud, but competitiveness keeps showing up. He did not just hit the ball out of the park. He helped force the game in Peoria’s direction.

Old School Take

There is a difference between having talent and affecting winning. Rodriguez did both Tuesday night. The home run tied it. The baserunning helped stretch it. That is how a young player starts looking less like a prospect and more like a ballplayer.

The Cardinal Chronicle, in association with Gateway Sports
Preserving the Past, Promoting the Present, and Projecting the Future.