History of Julio Rodríguez in Timeline

Julio "J-Rod" Rodríguez is a Dominican professional baseball center fielder for the Seattle Mariners. He signed with the Mariners in 2017 and debuted in MLB in 2022. His impactful rookie season earned him an All-Star selection, a Silver Slugger Award, and the American League Rookie of the Year Award.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1900: Four-hit games since 1900

During August 2023, Julio Rodríguez had 5 four-hit games in a 10-game stretch, a feat that had not happened since 1900.

1901: MLB Record broken since at least 1901

From August 16 to 19, 2023, Julio Rodríguez broke the MLB record for most hits in a four-game span with 17, the most since at least 1901.

1921: Ty Cobb record

During August 2023, Julio Rodríguez had 5 four-hit games, only Ty Cobb, with 6 such games in 1921, had more in a month.

1997: Hits not reached since 1997

During August 2023, Julio Rodríguez had 28 hits in 10 games, a number not reached since Kenny Lofton in 1997.

December 29, 2000: Julio Rodríguez's Birth

On December 29, 2000, Julio Yarnel Rodríguez Jr., nicknamed "J-Rod", was born. He is a Dominican professional baseball center fielder.

Others born on this day/year

2001: Led Mariners to Postseason

Julio Rodríguez led the Mariners to their first postseason appearance since 2001, ending the longest active playoff drought amongst major North American sports leagues at the time.

July 2017: Signed with the Seattle Mariners

In July 2017, at 16 years old, Julio Rodríguez signed as an international free agent with the Seattle Mariners, receiving a $1.75 million signing bonus.

2017: Signed with the Seattle Mariners

In 2017, Julio Rodríguez signed with the Seattle Mariners as an international free agent.

2018: Began Conducting Interviews in English

In 2018, Julio Rodríguez began conducting interviews with reporters in English, rather than his native Spanish.

2018: Professional Debut

In 2018, Julio Rodríguez made his professional debut with the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League Mariners, batting .315/.404/.525 with 50 runs, nine triples, five home runs, 36 RBI, and 10 stolen bases in 59 games. He was named a DSL mid-season All-Star and a Baseball America DSL All-Star. He also suffered a foot injury during the season.

2019: Time with West Virginia Power and Modesto Nuts

In 2019, Julio Rodríguez started with the Class-A West Virginia Power but missed almost two months due to a fractured left hand. He was later promoted to the Class A-Advanced Modesto Nuts, becoming one of the youngest players in High-A ball. He also played in the Arizona Fall League and was named an AFL Rising Star.

2020: Throwing Partners with Ichiro Suzuki

In 2020, Julio Rodríguez and Ichiro Suzuki became throwing partners, when Suzuki was a Mariners special assistant.

2020: Summer Olympics Appearance

In 2020, Julio Rodríguez played for the Dominican Republic national team in the Summer Olympics.

2020: Injured during training

In 2020, with the minor league season canceled, Julio Rodríguez was ticketed for the Mariners alternate training site in Tacoma, but he broke his left wrist during a workout in July. He participated in the fall instructional league in Arizona, then played 18 games for Leones del Escogido in the Dominican winter league, batting just .196 against much older competition. He also began training with former football player Yo Murphy to improve his speed.

2020: Jordyn Huitema - 2020 Olympic Medalist

In September 2022, Julio Rodríguez began dating Canadian professional soccer player Jordyn Huitema, who was a fellow 2020 Olympic medalist.

February 2021: Response to Kevin Mather's Comments

In February 2021, after then-Mariners president Kevin Mather made negative comments about Julio Rodríguez's English skills, Rodríguez responded on Twitter, leading to Mather's resignation.

August 2021: Ranked as Top Prospect

In August 2021, Julio Rodríguez was ranked as the best Mariners prospect and the second-best prospect in baseball by MLB.com.

2021: Olympics Performance

In 2021, Julio Rodriguez was one of the top hitters at the Olympics, held in Tokyo. He hit .417 with a 1.069 on-base plus slugging in 6 games. He won a bronze medal.

2021: Minor league season

In 2021, Julio Rodríguez played mostly as a right fielder and did not steal more than 10 bases in a season before.

April 4, 2022: Named Opening Day center fielder

On April 4, 2022, Julio Rodríguez was named the Seattle Mariners' Opening Day center fielder.

September 2022: Began Dating Jordyn Huitema

In September 2022, Julio Rodríguez began dating Canadian professional soccer player and fellow 2020 Olympic medalist Jordyn Huitema.

2022: Silver Slugger and AL Rookie of the Year Awards

In 2022, Julio Rodríguez batted .284/.345/.509 with 28 home runs and 25 steals. He won the Silver Slugger Award and the AL Rookie of the Year Award.

2022: MLB Debut

In 2022, Julio Rodríguez made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut.

2022: All-Star Game and Home Run Derby Participation

In 2022, Julio Rodríguez was selected for the MLB All-Star Game. He also participated in the Home Run Derby, hitting 81 home runs across three rounds. He also joined the 20-20 club and became the first player to join the 25-25 club in his debut season.

January 2023: Donation to Hometown

In January 2023, Julio Rodríguez donated an ambulance to his hometown of Loma de Cabrera. He also gave baseball equipment and toys to the children in his hometown.

April 7, 2023: Tiebreaking Home Run

On April 7, 2023, Julio Rodríguez hit a tiebreaking two-run home run against the Cleveland Guardians, becoming the fastest player in Mariners history to reach 30 home runs, doing so in 140 games.

2023: Salary boost

In 2023, Julio Rodriguez's salary was boosted from a minimum of $720,000 to $21 million, including a signing bonus.

2023: Second Silver Slugger Award

In 2023, Julio Rodríguez batted .275/.333/.485 with 32 home runs. He won his second consecutive Silver Slugger Award and finished fourth place in AL Most Valuable Player voting.

2023: World Baseball Classic

In 2023, Julio Rodríguez played for the Dominican Republic national team in the World Baseball Classic.

2023: Featured on Topps Baseball Cards

In 2023, Julio Rodríguez was featured on the packaging and advertising of Topps baseball cards.

2023: J-Rod Squad Fan Section

In 2023, the Seattle Mariners started a fan section for Julio Rodríguez, called the "J-Rod Squad," in three sections behind him in center field.

July 16, 2024: "Welcome to the J-Rod Show" Documentary Aired

On July 16, 2024, Fox Sports produced a documentary on Julio Rodríguez, called "Welcome to the J-Rod Show," which first aired on FS1 following the 2024 MLB All-Star Game.

2024: Mariners Commercial with Ichiro Suzuki

In 2024, Julio Rodríguez appeared in a Seattle Mariners television commercial with Ichiro Suzuki.

2024: 20/20 season

In 2024, Julio Rodríguez batted .273/.325/.409 with 20 home runs and 24 stolen bases. He and Bobby Witt Jr. became the first two players to have 20 home runs and 20 steals in the first three seasons of their MLB career.