History of Julio Rodríguez in Timeline

Julio Rodríguez, nicknamed "J-Rod," is a Dominican professional baseball center fielder for the Seattle Mariners in MLB. He signed with the Mariners in 2017 as an international free agent and debuted in MLB in 2022. During his rookie season, he earned an All-Star selection, a Silver Slugger Award, and was named the American League Rookie of the Year.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1900: Most Four-Hit Games in Ten 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: Most Hits in a Four-Game Span Since 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 1901.

1921: Second-Most Four-Hit Games in a Month Since 1921

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

1997: Most Hits in Ten Games 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 Born

On December 29, 2000, Julio Yamel Rodríguez, later nicknamed "J-Rod," was born. He would become a Dominican professional baseball center fielder.

Others born on this day/year

2001: Mariners' First Postseason Appearance Since 2001

Julio Rodríguez led the Mariners to their first postseason appearance since 2001. He led off all five Mariners postseason games.

July 2017: International Free Agent Signing

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 Mariners

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

2018: Interviews in English

In 2018, Julio Rodriguez 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. He was named both a DSL mid-season All-Star and a Baseball America DSL All-Star.

2019: Progression Through the Minors and Arizona Fall League

In 2019, Julio Rodríguez started with the Class-A West Virginia Power and was later promoted to the Class A-Advanced Modesto Nuts. After the 2019 regular season, he played in the Arizona Fall League (AFL) for the Peoria Javelinas, where he was named an AFL Rising Star.

2020: Throwing Partners

In 2020, Ichiro Suzuki and Julio Rodríguez became throwing partners.

2020: Alternate Training Site and Injury

In 2020, with the minor league season canceled, Julio Rodríguez was assigned to the Mariners alternate training site in Tacoma, but he broke his left wrist during a workout in July.

2020: Olympic Medalist Jordyn Huitema

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

2020: Summer Olympics

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

February 2021: Mather's Comments and Resignation

In February 2021, then-Mariners president Kevin Mather made negative comments about Julio Rodríguez's English, which Rodríguez responded to on Twitter. Mather resigned the next day.

August 2021: Top Prospect Ranking

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

2021: Training to Improve Speed

In 2021, Julio Rodríguez began training with former football player Yo Murphy to improve his speed.

2021: Olympics

In 2021, Julio Rodríguez was one of the top hitters at the Olympics held in Tokyo. He helped defeat South Korea 10–6 and win his country's first medal in baseball, which was a bronze medal.

April 4, 2022: Named Opening Day Center Fielder

On April 4, 2022, the Mariners named Julio Rodríguez their Opening Day center fielder.

September 2022: Relationship with Jordyn Huitema

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

2022: MLB Debut

In 2022, Julio Rodríguez made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut for the Seattle Mariners.

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, where he hit 81 home runs across three rounds.

2022: Silver Slugger and AL Rookie of the Year

In 2022, Julio Rodríguez won the Silver Slugger Award and the American League Rookie of the Year Award.

January 2023: Donation of Ambulance

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: Fastest Mariner to 30 Home Runs

On April 7, 2023, Julio Rodríguez hit a tiebreaking home run against the Cleveland Guardians. With this home run, Rodríguez became the fastest player in Mariners history to reach 30 home runs, achieving this in 140 games.

2023: World Baseball Classic

In 2023, Julio Rodriguez played for the Dominican Republic national team in the World Baseball Classic. He managed just one single and three strikeouts as the Dominican Republic lost an elimination game against Puerto Rico on March 15.

2023: Second Silver Slugger Award

In 2023, Julio Rodríguez won his second consecutive Silver Slugger Award and was a finalist for the AL Gold Glove Award in center field. He finished fourth place in AL Most Valuable Player voting.

2023: J-Rod Squad Fan Section

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

2023: Salary Boost

In August 2022, upon signing a long-term contract, Julio Rodríguez's 2023 salary was boosted from a minimum of $720,000 to $21 million, including a signing bonus.

July 16, 2024: Documentary Airs

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

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2024: 20-20 Club

In 2024, Julio Rodríguez 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.

2024: Mariners Television Commercial

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

2024: No Limits Foundation Toy Drive

In 2024, Julio Rodríguez's No Limits Foundation organized a toy drive for children in Loma de Cabrera and the Seattle area in late 2024.

2028: Team Option Year

In August 2022, Julio Rodríguez signed a long-term contract extension with Seattle. The contract lasts at least 8 years and, depending a team option in 2028 and a potential player option in 2030, that could last up to 14 years.