Jonathan Rodriguez posts 1.059 on base + slugging at Springfield; Cooney was 3-1 with a 2.35 ERA in five starts at Memphis
ST. LOUIS, MO (May 6, 2014) – The St. Louis Cardinals announced their Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Month for April by honoring infielder Jonathan Rodriguez at Springfield (AA) and left-handed starting pitcher Tim Cooney at Memphis (AAA) for their accomplishments on the field.
Rodriguez, 24, the Cardinals 17th round (519th overall) selection out of the Manatee Community College in the 2009 first-year player draft, batted .346 (27-78) with nine doubles, four home runs and 15 RBI during the month while posting a 1.059 on-base plus slugging percentage. Rodriguez’s 1.059 OPS ranked second in the Texas League and seventh among all Double-A players. He was named the Texas League Player of the Week for April 21-27 batting .519 for the week with six doubles. Rodriguez tallied eight multi-hit games out of 21 games with four three-hit games. The San Juan, Puerto Rico, native earned his second career monthly award as he was the Cardinals Minor League Player of the Month in June of 2013.
“Jonathan started strong both defensively and offensively in Springfield, hitting for average and showing his power potential,” said Cardinals Director of Player Development Gary LaRocque.
Cooney, 23, the Cardinals 3rd round (117th overall) selection out of Wake Forest University in the 2012 first-year player draft, was 3-1 with a 2.35 ERA over five starts at Memphis. The southpaw won his first three starts at Memphis and hurled four quality starts. The Collegeville, Pa., native struck out nine batters in his 2014 season debut and held opposing batters to a .120 batting average (3-25) with runners in scoring position.
“Tim put together an impressive month in Memphis, with a solid 30 innings in 5 starts,” said LaRocque.
