Eliminating the Field: Why Julio Rodríguez Stands Alone as Baseball’s 5-Tool Superstar
Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images
At the Kingdome, eating peanuts tossed behind the back by the peanut man, I watched Alex Rodríguez in his historic 40/40 season, joining Jose Canseco and Barry Bonds. I also witnessed the legend himself, Ken Griffey Jr., the greatest 5-tool talent since Willie Mays. Growing up as a Mariners fan in the 90s, we were spoiled. Baseball was not just about one-dimensional home run kings, it was about players who could do it all: hit for power and average, flash the leather, and steal bases.
Now Julio Rodríguez is rising to join that elite company and is helping the Mariners chase a playoff berth this season. Since his debut he has showcased the rare and complete skill set that defines a true 5-tool player. He can hit for both average and power, and he pairs that offensive threat with speed, range, and a cannon of an arm that makes him one of the most dynamic players in the league.
Offensively Rodríguez is a threat every time he steps in the box, especially in the second half of the year when his bat heats up. He drives the ball to all fields, pressures defenses with his baserunning, and swipes bags with ease.
Defensively he glides through center field with elite instincts and closing speed. Combine that with one of the strongest and most accurate arms in baseball, and Julio turns extra-base hits and scoring chances into outs.
At just 24, Rodríguez might just be the premier 5-tool player of this generation. He is not only transforming the Mariners into contenders but also capturing the imagination of fans and analysts alike. As his career unfolds, he has a chance to leave a lasting mark on the game and to redefine what it means to be a 5-tool superstar in Major League Baseball. So let’s find out: Is Julio Rodriguez the ultimate 5-tool player?
Choosing a Benchmark
I want to be clear about how I’m approaching this. My goal is to be as consistent as possible with the analysis, while also giving a fair picture of how Julio stacks up against his peers. I chose the Top 60 for each of the five tools for two main reasons:
The Top 60 represents being a top-two player on an average ballclub. Being the second-best player on any team in any category is no small feat.
Full transparency: this is a slight bit of cherry-picking. I wanted to make sure Julio was not eliminated at the outset, and he does crack the Top 60 in batting average. Still, this benchmark ensures every qualifying MLB player is being compared on the same playing field.
Tool #1 = Batting for Power (Stat = HR)
The Top 60 MLB Home Run Leaders
Despite the slow start (again) and playing in one of MLB’s toughest stadiums, Julio is tied for 12th in MLB Home Runs with 30. On most MLB teams, he would be leading the team in Home Runs. However he is overshadowed this year by Cal Raleigh and Eugenio Suarez in the HR category as Cal leads all of MLB in HRs and Suarez is 4th in MLB ahead of Aaron Judge.
Tool #2 = Batting for Average (Stat = AVG.)
Remaining Players in top 60 for batting average (above .264)
This season, the tool that Julio might be struggling the most in is batting average. Julio’s started the season batting .229 through April, but has been steadily climbing his way up to a near top 50 batting average of .267. Julio is notorious for a slow start and hot 2nd half, and this year this holds true as he hit .320 in the month of August.
Below, are the remaining players who are both top 60 in HR and top 60 in batting average in MLB:
Top 60 HR AND Top 60 batting average = 28 Remaining
Tool #3 = Speed (Stat = SB)
Remaining Players in top 60 HR x top 60 Batting Average x top 60 Stolen Bases
To rank inside the Top 60 in MLB stolen bases this season, a player needs at least 15 steals. Julio is well above that threshold, currently sitting 18th in the league with 25. With just five more, he could notch another 30/30 season. That blend of power, batting average, and speed is rare — only 10 players in the majors currently check all three boxes.
Top 60 HR AND Top 60 batting average and Top 60 Stolen Bases = 10 Remaining
Tool #4 = Defense (Stat = Defensive WAR)
Remaining Players in top 60 HR x top 60 Batting Average x top 60 Stolen Bases x top 60 Defensive WAR = 3 remaining
With Defense, we are going to rely on the defensive WAR metric from ESPN. Julio’s defensive WAR ranks 33rd with a 1.1 Defensive war. In order to be in the top 60, a player must have 0.4 Defensive War to this point in the season. Julio is in the Gold Glove conversation, and may win it despite Ceddanne Rafaela having a better season, because Ceddanne Rafaela might qualify as a utility player rather than a Center Fielder for the awards.
Technically, Shohei Ohtani does not have a Defensive War… But since his Pitching War is 1.4 (well above the 0.4 Defensive WAR threshold) this season, it would be unfair to exclude him.
Only 3 players remain! Shohei Ohtani, Julio Rodriguez, and Bobby Witt Jr.
Tool #5 = Arm Strength (Max MPH)
In today’s MLB, arm strength doesn’t always get much attention when evaluating position players. Yet every so often, it proves decisive. Just look at Julio Rodríguez gunning down runners at home with laser throws compared to Aaron Judge allowing an easy run to score because he couldn’t get the ball into the infield with any real velocity. Plays like these remind us that arm strength still matters in today’s game—sometimes, it’s the difference between winning and losing.
For arm strength, I am using Baseball Savant’s arm strength leaderboard. This leader board is only for position players… but we all know Shohei would rank near the top, as he threw 101.7 MPH earlier in the season. To be ranked in the top 60 for position players, you need to throw 95.8 MPH. Julio is ranked tied for 11th among position players with a Max velocity of 100.6 MPH!
Bobby Witt Jr has made it this far, but his arm ranks 87th in MLB with a 94.7 MPH ball. Perhaps, he has a disadvantage at SS not being able to do a crow-hop, but he is the weakest link in this category.
Remaining Players = 2…. Shohei Ohtani and Julio Rodriguez
Final Thoughts
At just 24, Julio Rodríguez might already be the most well-rounded player in baseball. He may not lead the league in home runs, batting average, or stolen bases, and he hasn’t yet added a Gold Glove to his résumé. But while Shohei Ohtani is today’s Babe Ruth, Julio Rodríguez is emerging as this generation’s Willie Mays, Ken Griffey Jr., and Mickey Mantle—a true 5-tool superstar whose best years are still ahead. And because Ohtani isn’t a true everyday position player, the crown of premier 5-tool talent in today’s game belongs squarely to Julio.
