In Wednesday’s 4-1 victory at Columbus, Toledo Mud Hens utilityman Ronny Rodriguez stepped into the batter’s box five times. Each at-bat resulted in the dreaded walk back to the dugout without reaching base safely.
But don’t cry a river for the former Cleveland Indians prospect. He had hit safely in 18 consecutive games before that, giving him the longest hitting streak in the International League this season.
“I always have confidence because I know what I can do on the field,” Rodriguez said. “It’s something that I’ve been waiting for, to have success in the game, and it’s something that I’m enjoying every day. When you’re thinking that something good is going to come out when you get to the plate, you do it on the field.
“I know I started slow in the beginning. I’ve been working a lot in the cages with coaches. I feel good right now at the plate. It’s coming along.”
When the streak began, Rodriguez was batting .221. In April, his average dipped below .200 during a 6 for 45 stretch. But once the slump was busted, there was no letup from Rodriguez.
From May 4-22, the 26-year-old recorded a .389 (28 for 72) average, with four home runs, 17 RBIs, seven doubles, one triple, one stolen base, and just seven strikeouts.
Through Saturday, he was hitting .304 with six homers and 30 RBIs this season and had played second base, third base, shortstop, and center field.
“He’s been everything [the Detroit Tigers organization] has wanted,” Mud Hens manager Doug Mientkiewicz said. “He’s been everything that’s advertised. He brings energy every day, he’s a hell of a teammate, he does all the little things you want — he plays multiple positions, he has power, he has speed, he’s helped out other guys on the team. A big reason why we are where we are is because of Ronny.”
The Hens, after eight consecutive losing seasons, own the best record in the IL. Rodriguez, a native of the Dominican Republic, was signed by Cleveland in 2010. He batted .291 with 17 home runs and 64 RBIs at Triple-A Columbus last season. At spring training in 2017, he was vying for the Indians’ final roster spot.
‘Everything I’ve ever heard from anybody who’s ever played against him, been around him, or played with him, they were dead-on accurate,” Mientkiewicz said. “He’s fun to come to the park and work with every day.”
Said Rodriguez: “I’m happy with my teammates and the staff, with everybody here and how they’re treating me. It’s been really good for me.”
The 43-year-old Mientkiewicz, who grew up in Point Place going to Ned Skeldon Stadium, is in his fifth season as a minor league manager. He’s won two league championships, more than 55 percent of his games, and never finished worse than 10 games above .500 in a season.
Combined with his dozen years in the big leagues — Mientkiewicz was a career. 271 hitter and won a World Series with the Red Sox — and budding managerial career, respect in the clubhouse is not hard to come by for Mientkiewicz, who will likely be on the short list for several major league teams looking for a manager in the offseason.
“He’s always there for everyone, he always gives you advice,” Rodriguez said. “We really appreciate it, and we take advantage of that.”
Contact Kyle Rowland at krowland@theblade.com, 419-724-6110 or on Twitter @KyleRowland.
First Published May 26, 2018, 12:00 p.m.
