After spending the winter training together in Miami, Rodriguez had high praise for the Sox’ top ranked prospect.
“That kid is gonna be sensational,” Rodriguez told Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe. “I was so impressed with him. He works hard and he’s such a good kid.
“His hands … great hands. Really, really stood out for me. He’s gonna be a good one. The Red Sox fans should be very excited to see this kid in the future.”
Rodriguez reportedly invited the 21-year-old to work out at his gym upon the suggestion of a “mutual friend.”
“It’s a Miami thing,” A-Rod told the Globe. “We had him over and he worked hard.”
Rodriguez isn’t the first well-qualified voice to offer praise in Iglesias’ direction. Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels told NESN’s Peter Gammons that “their people thought that Iglesias was the best defensive shortstop they’d ever seen.” After Gammons brought up the fact that Omar Vizquel spent time in Texas, Daniels responded by telling Gammons that Iglesias reminded Vizquel of himself.
With shortstop as a potential question mark for the Red Sox entering the 2011 season, Iglesias being just a phone call away may go a long way in helping to keep Marco Scutaro and Jed Lowrie on their toes.
