Yariel Rodríguez
Yariel Humberto Rodríguez Yordy (born March 10, 1997) is a Cuban professional baseball pitcher. He has played for the Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) and in the Cuban National Series for Ganaderos de Camagüey, representing the Cuba national baseball team as well.
Yariel Rodríguez | |
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![]() Rodriguez with the Chunichi Dragons | |
Pitcher | |
Born: Camagüey, Cuba | March 10, 1997|
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
NPB debut | |
August 9, 2020, for the Chunichi Dragons | |
NPB statistics (through 2022 season) | |
Win–loss record | 10–10 |
Earned run average | 3.03 |
Strikeouts | 188 |
Holds | 39 |
Teams | |
Career highlights and awards | |
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Professional career
Rodríguez had previously been linked with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks[1] before signing for the Chunichi Dragons on a development deal on January 26, 2020.[2] Rodríguez recorded a 3–4 record and 4.12 ERA in 11 appearances in his first year with Chunichi.
In 2021, Rodríguez made 12 appearances with Chunichi’s main team, posting a 1–4 record and 3.65 ERA with 61 strikeouts in 61+2⁄3 innings pitched. In 2022, he pitched in 56 games for the club, logging a 6–2 record and a 1.15 ERA with 60 strikeouts in 54+2⁄3 innings of work. He was named the Central League Most Valuable Setup Pitcher following the season.
In March 2023, Rodríguez unilaterally left the Dragons to seek a contract with a Major League Baseball team.[3] Dragons has declared that the contract with Rodríguez is still valid.[4][5]
Pitching style
As a reliever, Rodríguez throws a fastball topping out at 100 mph and a slider as his primary pitches.[6]
International career
Rodriguez was part of the Cuba national baseball team at the 2019 WBSC Premier12 tournament.[7] He started the first game of the 2023 World Baseball Classic for Cuba, striking out six and giving up one run in four innings against the Netherlands.
References
- "SoftBank podría tener interés en Yariel Rodríguez también" [SoftBank may have an interest in Yariel Rodríguez as well]. Cuban Ball (in Spanish). 2018-09-05. Retrieved 2020-02-20.
- "中日 キューバ出身のヤリエル・ロドリゲス投手と育成契約" [Chunichi sign development deal with Cuban pitcher, Yariel Rodriguez]. Sponichi (in Japanese). 2020-01-26. Retrieved 2020-02-20.
- "Yariel Rodriguez: Leaves Japan seeking MLB deal". cbssports.com. Retrieved 2023-03-28.
- https://www.daily.co.jp/baseball/2023/04/10/0016229823.shtml
- https://www.chunichi.co.jp/article/669080
- https://www.sponichi.co.jp/baseball/news/2023/03/28/kiji/20230328s00001173646000c.html
- "Cuba's Premier12 roster mixes veterans, future stars". WBSC. 2019-10-13. Retrieved 2020-02-20.