DETROIT — For at least three years, the Tigers have followed every step of Cris Rodriguez’s development. They watched him hit and they watched him continue to grow. International scout Rodolfo Peñalo was the man on the ground as the Tigers got to know Rodriguez and his family.
The long process reached its culmination Wednesday when Rodriguez officially signed with the Tigers for a bonus of $3.197 million. The deal eclipses Cristian Santana’s $2.95 million signing in 2021 for the biggest bonus the Tigers have ever given an international amateur. Ranked No. 4 by MLB Pipeline and No. 4 by Baseball America in this year’s international class, Rodriguez is also the highest-ranked international amateur the Tigers have ever signed.
“The physical ability we believe to be special,” Tigers assistant general manager Rob Metzler said. “We love the bat speed, the power, the bat path. We love the athleticism, the frame, the natural projection. I’d follow that up by saying we feel strongly about the kid. This a kid we’ve gotten to know really well. Work ethic, character, aptitude we believe to be pluses.”
At only 16 years old, Rodriguez already stands 6-feet-4 inches and weighs 200 pounds. FanGraphs wrote he “is built like a young Larry Fitzgerald.” Rodriguez hits from the right side, displaying a swing with a short leg kick and powerful load. The mechanics of his swing resemble a young Alex Rodriguez.
Tigers officially sign 16-year old Dominican International FA OF Cris Rodriguez today for $3.2 million.
His swing remind you of anyone? 🤔pic.twitter.com/FWezjjWCw2
— Calico Joe (@CalicoJoeMLB) January 15, 2025
Cris Rodriguez currently plays center field, but given his size, he projects better as a corner outfielder with a plus arm as he develops.
“Cris’ tools are pretty advanced for his age,” said Miguel García, the Tigers’ director of Latin American scouting. “Rodolfo Peñalo did a tremendous job following his development, and we were able to evaluate on a consistent basis. Every time we came to the country, we were able to see him in games and see how he was progressing. Every time we saw him, we slowly (believed) that Cris’ tools are good enough to help him to be a prospect in the game.”
The size and natural power are Rodriguez’s clear calling cards. And if he reaches his potential — never a given for a 16-year-old talent — he could help shift the narrative around the Tigers’ international system.
Detroit has long struggled to develop major-league talent from its pipeline abroad. Since the Tigers signed but ultimately traded Willy Adames and Eugenio Suárez a decade ago, relief pitcher Gregory Soto was the lone international signing to achieve positive wins above replacement with Detroit. Last year, rookie outfielder Wenceel Pérez (1.1 fWAR) joined those ranks and right-handed pitcher Keider Montero (minus-0.1 fWAR) showed signs he could do the same next season. Josue Briceño, whom the Tigers signed for only $800,000 in 2022, won the Triple Crown in the Arizona Fall League and could become a gem.
Adding Rodriguez could also signal another shift in philosophy. For years under former general manager Al Avila, the Tigers began spreading out their international bonus pool to cast a wider net rather than devoting large sums to a single player. In more recent signing periods, the Tigers seem intent on being competitive for top-ranked international talent. Detroit did not overhaul its international department when Scott Harris was hired as president of baseball operations more than two years ago. Instead, the Tigers retained key personnel with existing relationships in Latin America and hoped to better integrate the international department with scouting and player development. Metzler works to oversee both domestic and international scouting.
“I hate to go down a cliche road, but we look at it much more on a day-by-day, player-by-player basis,” Metzler said of signing Rodriguez. “When something like this comes together it’s because the stars aligned with an evaluation, how the negotiation goes, the ability to build that connection with the player. These don’t come together often, so in that sense there should be a lot of handshakes and pats on the backs for all the effort that went into something like that.”
With Rodriguez, there are early signs of swing and miss that serve as the lone concern in his game. Scouting reports mention Rodriguez could be challenged as he begins to face more advanced breaking pitches. A swing that can get long despite its pure look could create concerns against top-end velocity. Reports also mention Rodriguez’s discipline and pitch recognition as something that could help him overcome those challenges. The overall profile suggests a low floor. The upside is a legitimate middle-of-the-order bat.
“Definitely he’s got ability to hit for an average, and he’s gonna develop legit power down the road,” García said.
Teenage talents should always be taken with a grain of salt. Santana was previously the Tigers’ biggest international prospect, but he has hit only .194 (albeit with a .381 on-base percentage) so far in his minor-league career. Roberto Campos, a more unheralded prospect who was billed with immense upside, has shown flashes of potential but had to repeat High A, where he hit .272 with a .767 OPS in his age-21 season.
Rodriguez’s game has been compared to Eloy Jiménez, a talented player who has nonetheless never surpassed 1.8 fWAR in a year. The Tigers, though, have been bullish on Rodriguez for a long time. Although they were interested in Japanese star Roki Sasaki (the Tigers did not even get a meeting with the pitcher) Detroit never intended to break its existing international commitments. Rodriguez was the headliner of the Tigers’ class, and Harris traveled to the Dominican Republic for his signing.
Metzler said the Sasaki factor clouded the international market this year, and the Tigers may still be monitoring any players who lose their handshake deals when Sasaki signs with another club.
The Tigers also expressed optimism about some of the other members of this year’s signing class.
Jose Ramirez is a toolsy center fielder who came with a glowing review from García: “The way he moves around will make us believe that he’s gonna be able to play center field at Comerica Park.” Carlos Benavidez is a catcher with good defensive tools and baseball IQ. Angel De Los Santos is an infielder with a projectable frame who the Tigers believe can stay in the middle of the diamond. Another infielder, Sterling Bazil, could project as a utility player. Left-handed pitcher Anderson Diaz comes from the same facility that produced the likes of Martín Pérez and Luis Castillo.
Rodriguez, though, is the clear blockbuster.
The international market is challenging and requires a long timeline to show results. But as the rest of the Tigers’ organization trends forward, Rodriguez is the latest sign the Tigers’ international department may soon have more fruit to bear.
(Top photo of Scott Harris and Cris Rodriguez: Courtesy of Detroit Tigers)
