Raudi Rodriguez, overnight success three years in the making.
If you’re an Angels fan, that is. If you’re familiar with New Balance Baseball Future Stars Series, however, you know the journey dates back much further than when he was drafted in the 19th round in 2023. The Georgia Premier Academy star was a Main Event standout one year prior, getting the invaluable experience of playing in a big-league stadium — at that time, it was Fenway Park — at that stage in his development.
The last time we saw him was at a Georgia Premier Scout Day in February of 2023, and he graded out very well at the time; our scouts put an overall future grade of 60 on him with particularly high marks on throwing (70 future grade) and running after he put down a 6.56 60 time, as well as lauding his bat as a “line drive hitter with future impact skills.”
Since then, it’s been a slow, but steady development path in pro ball for Rodriguez, but he’s only truly popped of late during his time in the Arizona Fall League despite a season in which he won California League Player of the Week honors multiple times and hit .281 with 14 homers and 83 RBI with 38 stolen bases, somehow not winning that league’s MVP award. Invited to the prestigious AFL, Rodriguez continued to ball out in what can only be considered a breakout season, earning MVP of the Fall Stars game to really put him on the map. Overall, he finished fifth in the league with a 1.164 OPS for the Salt River Rafters with a stunning .433 batting average over an 18-game sample size, with ten walks compared to just 12 strikeouts in 60 at-bats.
About New Balance Future Stars Series
The New Balance Future Stars Series presented by Program 15 is a global platform for amateur baseball development and scouting, powered by a commitment to impact, integrity, and player-focused innovation. Its alumni can be found throughout professional baseball, and its events and partnerships have reshaped how talent is identified, nurtured, and celebrated.
Connect with New Balance Future Stars Series by visiting our website, www.futurestarsseries.com, by visiting our YouTube page and by checking out the social media channels listed below.
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Since 2003, he has covered multiple World Series and has worked high-profile events ranging from the MLB All-Star Game to the World Baseball Classic. In addition to his role working for the Future Stars Series that he's held since 2017, Ashmore currently serves as the beat writer of the Double-A New York Yankees affiliate, the Somerset Patriots, as well as national hockey writer and New York Jets game day beat reporter for The Trentonian.
A regular contributor to Baseball America, Ashmore has worked seven Super Bowls, 12 Stanley Cup Finals, the 4 Nations Face-Off, the NBA Playoffs, College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Frozen Four, Daytona 500, major UFC events and much more as he approaches 3,300 games covered in his career.
An avid trading card enthusiast, he lives with his wife, Sarah, their son, future No. 1 overall draft pick in 2042, William, their beloved dog, Bailey, and occasionally well-behaved cat, Smokey.
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