There’s been no hotter player in all of baseball of late than Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez. The 22-year-old has been virtually impossible for opposing pitchers to get out over the past few games, and he added to his red-hot run on Saturday.
Entering the weekend tilt against the Astros, Rodríguez had reached base on 13 of his last 16 at-bats. With a first-inning single in Houston, which was followed by a swift steal of second base, Seattle’s star slugger improved to 14-for-17 over the course of four games.
In doing so, Rodríguez made some impressive MLB history, becoming the first player in league history to record 14 hits and five steals during a four-game span, according to the Mariners.
Rodríguez’s current form is unprecedented across the history of the league, as he’s done just about everything in his power to keep Seattle in the hunt for the playoffs. The Mariners are on a four-game winning streak and have won seven of their last 10, currently sitting in the final Wild Card spot in the American League.
Prior to his unheralded streak, Rodríguez had registered a season OPS of .751. Following his hit in the first inning on Saturday, the reigning Rookie of the Year’s OPS now sits at .796, a remarkable improvement in such a short span.
In his last 17 at-bats, Rodríguez has 14 hits, four runs, one home run, and eight RBI, as well as five stolen bases on six attempts.
