The list of accolades just keeps on growing for Julio Rodriguez. The latest is what is set to be an incredible list is his inclusion as a member of the 25/25 club.
Just the third Mariners player to do it, he joins Alex Rodriguez (1998) and Mike Cameron (2001 & 2002) as the only ones in team history to do it. It’s an incredible accomplishment. With a strong finish, there is a chance that Julio could join A-Rod as the only people in team history to make it to 30/30.
Julio Rodriguez is one of the few to obtain a 25/25 season in MLB history.
More impressive to me than the fact that he is the third Mariners player to have such a season is the fact that he is also just the third rookie to ever have such a season. He joins Mike Trout (30/49 in 2012) and Chris Young (29/32 in 2007) on the esteemed list, but there is one way that he stands out above them.
Julio Rodriguez is the ONLY first-year rookie to accomplish a 25/25 season. Trout played in 40 games and Young played in 30 during their first seasons. However, it wasn’t enough appearances to lose their rookie status, which is how they held onto it during those special seasons.
Earlier in the homestand, Julio was still a little ways away from accomplishing the 25/25 season. He had just one steal in 19 games, and three homers in his last 15. This was before the final Atlanta game. Two homers in that finale, including a huge one in the 9th inning to tie the game at 7-7 would get him to 25 HR on the year.
After blasting a homer against the Padres, Julio came up to face Clevinger, already 2-2 on the day. Luckily for him (and us fans) when he was hit by a pitch, it missed his wrist and instead caught him Happy Gilmore style in the chest. It seemed like the entire stadium knew what was about to happen.
It’s been an incredible season by Julio Rodriguez, and I can’t get over how much I love watching this kid play. I had Griffey Jr growing up as a kid, and now my son is going to have Julio. It makes me incredibly happy to think about it. Jr was a bit older at the same age, but the point stands. The future is here, and the future is now, and his name is Julio Rodriguez.
And you know what? He’s not done yet! Go Mariners!