Endy Rodriguez

Rodriguez's post-hype sleeper status will have to wait until 2025, as offseason right elbow surgery will sideline him through the 2024 season. He boasted a pristine track record of results in the minor leagues entering the 2023 season. Between his work with the bat and defensive versatility, it seemed that even the Pirates' conservative nature with prospects wouldn't prevent Rodriguez from bursting onto the big-league scene early in 2023. Things didn't quite go according to plan, however, as he scuffled his way to a 95 wRC+ across 315 plate appearances at Triple-A Indianapolis, and even once he found his way to the majors in mid-July, his struggles continued. In addition to his strikeout rate jumping to 24 percent, Rodriguez had just a 5.1 percent barrel rate. There's no sugarcoating his corresponding .220/.284/.328 line in 204 plate appearances in Pittsburgh. In addition to his excellent minor-league track record, Rodriguez posted a max exit velocity of 110.7 mph and walked at a respectable 8.3 percent clip -- suggesting both his power and patience have the chance to translate at the highest level when he returns to action in 2025. Read Past Outlooks