Julio Rodríguez DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez (illness) is starting in center field and batting second in Friday's split-squad Cactus League game against the Cincinnati Reds. Rodriguez is back in spring training action after taking a couple days off this week due to an illness. After a down year by his standards in 2024, the 24-year-old outfielder is currently hitting just .229 with three home runs in 13 Cactus League games in Arizona. The two-time All-Star, former American League Rookie of the Year and two-time Silver Slugger winner had a career-low .734 OPS in 2024 but still managed 20 home runs and 24 stolen bases in 143 games played in his third year in the league. However, he posted only 68 RBI after driving in over 100 runs in 2023. A bounce-back year in 2025 is entirely possible for J-Rod, who is still a top-10 fantasy outfielder.

Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez (illness) was scratched from Monday's Cactus League lineup against the division-rival Athletics due to an illness. Luke Raley is taking over in center field for the M's and will bat fifth in the lineup. Rodriguez should be considered day-to-day for now, but he shouldn't have any issues recovering in time for Opening Day next Thursday. The 24-year-old All-Star outfielder has gone 8-for-35 (.229) with three home runs, three doubles, 11 RBI, one steal and five runs scored in 13 spring training games to this point. J-Rod, who was an All-Star in both of his first two seasons in the big leagues, was a disappointment to fantasy managers in his third year in 2024, although he still finished with 20 home runs and 24 stolen bases in 143 games. He could easily bounce back in 2025 and is a surefire top-10 fantasy outfielder.

Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 8-1 win over the Astros, keeping the team's playoff hopes alive. The home run was Rodriguez's 20th of the season, earning him his third consecutive 20/20 season to start his career. Despite a slow start to the season, the 23-year-old has rewarded managers who persevered and made the fantasy playoffs with him, collecting a hit now in seven straight games while hitting .336 with seven home runs in September (23 games). Rodriguez and the Mariners will face a familiar opponent this weekend in the A's but will face lefty JP Sears specifically on Friday who the 2x All-Star is just 3-for-19 off of lifetime, including five strikeouts and no extra-base hits.