There is a small obstacle: Angels manager Mike Scioscia. He is a singles, contact-hitting, bunt-them-over-and-win-3-2 type of manager. Rodriguez is a free-swinging, slugging infielder with 30 home runs and 150 strikeout potential.
Rodriguez did get the call in 2008 and didn't impress Scioscia at all by batting a mere .204 with just three home runs with 167 at bats. When you compare his 17 home runs with 164 at bats in the home run happy PCL, the Angels have reason to be a little skeptical.
Rodriguez just turned 24 and is as ready as ever to make his return to the big leagues. He is not going to hit 40 home runs as his AAA stats may show, but 20-30 is very doable.
Another plus for Rodriguez is he can play shortstop as well as third base or even outfield if needed. This improves his chances of playing almost everyday if he were to get a call as well as his potential fantasy value.
If that weren't enough to sell you on Rodriguez, did I mention he has good speed? He has five stolen bases for Salt Lake in 2009, he stole three in 2008 for the Angels, and he has stolenas many as 27 in the minors.
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