Julio Rodriguez
| Birthdate | 12/29/2000 |
| Death Date | |
| Debut Year | 2022 |
| Year of Induction | |
| Teams | Mariners |
| Position | Center Field |
As an All Star, Silver Slugger, and Rookie of the Year in 2022, Julio Rodriguez led the Mariners to their first postseason appearances in 21 years.
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Twenty-one-year-old Julio Rodriguez earned 29 of 30 first-place votes as Rookie of the Year
Twenty-one-year-old Julio Rodriguez earned 29 of 30 first-place votes as Rookie of the Year
In 2022, Julio Rodriguez became the Opening Day centerfielder for the Seattle Mariners. He got off to a slow start in April, batting just .206 with a .260 slugging percentage. When the calendar changed to May, Rodriguez’s production took off.
On the first of the month he broke through with a monster performance — going 3-for-4 and smashing his first big league home run, a 450-foot no-doubter. He also made an immediate impact on the base paths, going 9-for-9 in stolen base attempts and leading the league in steals after 22 games.
Julio stayed hot throughout May, hitting .309 with six homers and 17 RBIs to win American League Rookie of the Month. He repeated in June, batting .280 with seven homers, 16 RBIs, and 22 runs scored. His electric play earned him a spot in the 2022 All-Star Game, and he turned heads in the Home Run Derby by blasting 81 total homers—more than anyone else—before falling to Juan Soto in the final. The derby performance alone doubled his salary for the year.
On August 26, Rodriguez signed a massive 12-year contract extension with the Mariners. The deal guaranteed at least $210 million and could reach $470 million with team options and incentives. He finished the season strong, batting .284 with 28 home runs, 84 runs, 75 RBIs, 25 stolen bases, and a 147 OPS+ over 132 games.
Julio’s breakout helped lead Seattle to its first postseason appearance in 21 years. His stellar rookie campaign earned him near-unanimous recognition as the 2022 American League Rookie of the Year, receiving 29 of 30 first-place votes.
Shown here is a ticket to Julio’s MLB debut on April 8, 2022. PSA/DNA grades both the ticket and Julio’s signature at a 10/10.
No player reached hit 20 homers and 20 steals in fewer game to start his career than Julio
No player reached hit 20 homers and 20 steals in fewer game to start his career than Julio
Julio Rodriguez made history on August 24, 2022 by becoming the fastest player ever to reach 20 home runs and 20 steals at the start of his career. The 21-year-old Mariners outfielder entered the day with 19 homers and 23 stolen bases. In the eighth inning, he crushed a solo home run, giving him 20 long balls on the season. That blast also put him in the record books.
Rodriguez needed just 107 games to hit 20 home runs and swipe 20 bags. He bettered the previous mark held by Mike Trout, who reached the 20/20 milestone in 112 games. Trout’s total came over two seasons, after a 40-game debut in 2011.
Rodriguez, by contrast, reached the milestone in his first year in the bigs. His combination of power and speed has sparked Seattle’s lineup and energized the fan base. Few rookies make this kind of impact so quickly.
By outpacing a superstar like Trout, Rodriguez signaled that he belongs among baseball’s elite. His record-setting pace also adds to a standout debut campaign that has helped push the Mariners into playoff contention.
Reaching 20/20 in 107 games isn’t just rare—it’s unprecedented. Rodriguez didn’t just join an exclusive club; he redefined how quickly a young star can get there.
Shown here is a ticket to the 2014 All Star Game autographed by Trout. The ticket and signature are authenticated by PSA/DNA. In that Mid Summer Classic, Trout was the star among stars.
In the first inning he tripled in Derek Jeter for the game’s first run. Trout later scored on a homer by Miguel Cabrera. Then with the game tied in the 5th inning, Trout doubled home Derek Norris to put the AL on top 4-3. They never relinquished the lead and Trout was named the game’s MVP.
In 2023 Julio Rodriguez became the 2nd Mariner to hit 30 homers and steal 30 bases in a season
In 2023 Julio Rodriguez became the 2nd Mariner to hit 30 homers and steal 30 bases in a season
On September 11, 2023, Julio Rodriguez joined rare company in Seattle Mariners history. He became just the second player in franchise history to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in the same season, matching Alex Rodriguez’s 1998 feat.
Julio entered the night with 36 steals and 29 homers. In the bottom of the first, he singled and scored on a Cal Raleigh blast as the Mariners jumped ahead with three early runs. The Angels clawed back, tying the game with two in the second and one in the fourth.
The game stayed locked at 3-3 until the 10th inning. Brandon Drury’s two-run homer gave the Angels a 5-3 lead. Julio responded in the bottom half, crushing a two-run shot to even it again. That swing not only tied the game but also made Rodriguez a member of the exclusive 30-30 club.
The Angels pulled away in the 11th, scoring three more to win 8-5.
Rodriguez finished the night 4-for-5 with a double, home run, two runs scored, and two RBI.
In the collection is a scouting report for Alex Rodriguez from August, 1994. It was an 18-year old A-Rod who Dodger scout Nate Oliver assesses as a future superstar.
Oliver writes, “Alex has great body, strong good looking kid on a 6’3” frame. He has good instincts for a young kid. He possess a very strong accurate arm. Along with very good spd. for a kid of that size. He showed some power and great poise with a great attitude for a 18-year old kid. WHAT A FUTURE — WOW!!!
Julio is the first player in history to begin his career with 4 seasons of 20 homers and 20 steals
Julio is the first player in history to begin his career with 4 seasons of 20 homers and 20 steals
Julio Rodriguez etched his name into the MLB record books by becoming the first player ever to record 20 or more home runs and 20 or more stolen bases in each of his first four seasons. The Mariners center fielder has combined elite power with blazing speed since his debut.
In 2022, he took home Rookie of the Year honors after launching 28 homers and stealing 25 bases. He followed that up with an even bigger year in 2023, smashing 38 home runs and swiping 32 bags. Rodriguez continued his run in 2024 with 20 long balls and 24 steals.
On August 3, 2025, he hit a milestone shot—his 100th career home run—off Texas Rangers ace Jacob deGrom. That blast also marked his 20th homer of the season, securing his fourth straight 20/20 year.
Bobby and Barry Bonds hold the record with ten 20/20 campaigns. Neither began their careers with a streak like Rodriguez’s, who continues to redefine the modern power-speed combo.
Shown here is a pair of rookie cards signed by the younger Bonds.
