Rodriguez catching on with River Cats
The same day Dereck Rodríguez ordered a dozen bats, he found out he wouldn't need them anymore.Two years after the Twins took him in the sixth round of the 2011 Draft, the son of Hall of Famer Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez" was still roaming around the Rookie-level leagues with a .216
The same day Dereck Rodríguez ordered a dozen bats, he found out he wouldn't need them anymore.
Two years after the Twins took him in the sixth round of the 2011 Draft, the son of Hall of Famer Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez" was still roaming around the Rookie-level leagues with a .216 career average as an outfielder. No new pieces of lumber were going to change that, but Minnesota knew the then-21-year-old still showed promise. So even though he pitched fewer than nine innings during his senior year of high school, Rodriguez transitioned his wiry frame and strong arm to the hill.
Four years ago, Rodriguez started his baseball career over from scratch. Last November, he got another fresh start -- this time with the San Francisco Giants.
But after his scoreless performance on the mound Monday, the right-hander seems to be settling down.
Rodriguez (2-0) scattered four hits and three walks while striking out six over six shutout innings as Triple-A Sacramento beat Fresno, 6-3, at Chukchansi Park. With the scoreless outing, his ERA dropped to a season-low 3.45 after ballooning to 9.82 during his Triple-A debut.
A month after that rough start in which he gave up six hits and four runs in 3 2/3 frames at Tacoma, Rodriguez said he's starting to find his rhythm one step away from the Major Leagues,
"Triple-A is a whole different beast than the other levels, but it gives you more of a professional feeling," he said. "The flights, the hotels and everything, it's a lot of fun and I'm just enjoying my time. It's really nice knowing the work I put in during the offseason and the transition I've done over the last five years has me at this level. It's relieving that it's all paying off and I'm finally seeing results, and I'm just taking it all in."
Rodriguez is no stranger to the baseball clubhouse. His father made his Major League debut with the Texas Rangers less than a year before Dereck was born in June 1992. Until Pudge retired in 2011, Dereck said he -- more or less -- grew up around professional baseball. He experienced his dad's two World Series trips and 14 All-Star Games from the front row. Favorite memories are too many to count.
Gameday box score
So when he graduated from Monsignor Edward Pace High School near Miami in 2011, he was as prepared for the professional lifestyle as anyone in the Draft.
"Living by myself for six months of the year wasn't as tough for me as it was for other guys. The whole learning process wasn't too difficult," the 25-year-old said. "I knew how to act in the clubhouse. I'd already lived it. It was common sense after I was there all those years."
But easing into life off the field didn't translate to progress on it. Rodriguez finished the 2013 season with Elizabethton in the Appalachian League. To that point, he'd played 100 professional games and amassed just 74 hits at the lowest level of the pros. So the Twins decided to carry out the "Plan B" in Rodriguez's contract -- a move to the mound.
Though he was caught off guard, the Arlington, Texas native wasn't exactly disappointed. Because of his arm, the Twins and other squads had considered Rodriguez as a pitcher straight out of high school.
"As long as I was playing this game, I was happy," he said. "It didn't matter whether it was in the outfield or pitching. I just wanted to play."
Rodriguez essentially started his career over from scratch, throwing less than 30 live innings during 2014 and spent a majority of his 2015 season back in the Rookie leagues. Eventually, he worked his way up to Class A Cedar Rapids and then Class A Advanced Fort Myers in 2016. And though he finished 2017 with Double-A Chattanooga, Rodriguez felt his time with the Twins was complete.
He needed another fresh start and the Giants were willing to take a chance on the journeyman pitcher and son of a baseball legend. And, of course, an opportunity to throw batting practice to the likes of Pablo Sandoval, Buster Posey and Andrew McCutchen sounded appealing.
"I enjoyed my time with the Twins. I got a good seven years with them. They taught me how to play the game the right way and hustle," Rodriguez said. "It was just time for a change, and I couldn't say no to the Giants."
Through his seven-year journey, the one thing the righty said he hasn't struggled with is living and playing in his father's shadow. In fact, it's part of the reason he decided to go by his middle name rather than the first name he and his father share. The position change has helped Rodriguez carve his own path, though he enjoys working with the former Major League catcher in the offseason.
"He's really helped give me good sequences of pitches to throw to hitters and what pitches to throw to guys depending on what their strengths are," Rodriguez said. "But beyond that, I don't think of him. When I'm out there, it's just me and the catcher when I'm on the mound."
The elder Rodriguez has worked in Texas' front office since 2013 and does scouting during the majority of the season, leaving him little time to see his son play. But when the River Cats travel to Round Rock -- the Rangers' Triple-A affiliate -- in June, Rodriguez said he expects to see the legend he knows, first and foremost, as his father in the crowd.
"They keep him pretty busy, but I think he'll be able to kill two birds with one stone on that trip," he said.
Nathan Brown is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @NathanBrownNYC.
Everything you need to know for Triple-A Opening Day
First, there was big league Opening Day. Now it's Triple-A's turn to take the spotlight. The Minor League season opens Friday when the Triple-A International League and Pacific Coast League seasons get underway for the first of MiLB’s two Opening Days. And right out of the gates, several of baseball's
Top prospects to watch at Triple-A -- one for each organization
It’s Triple-A’s turn up to bat on Friday. The regular season begins for the Minor Leagues’ highest level one day after the action starts on the Major League side. Fun fact: it’ll be the earliest start to a Minor League season since 1951 (March 27). Double-A, High-A and Single-A will
Here's where every Top 100 prospect is expected to start the season
The 2025 Opening Day prospect roster announcements began last week when the Cubs informed Matt Shaw (MLB No. 19) he was making the trip overseas to compete in the Tokyo Series. Roki Sasaki (No. 1) also received the good news, but his assignment was much less of a surprise. Now
Nationals prospect King joins MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Here are the 2025 All-Spring Breakout Teams
Fifteen games, several jersey swaps and countless highlights later, the second edition of Spring Breakout has officially concluded – and it lived up to its billing. Of the 16 contests sprinkled across four days, only one game (Dodgers vs. Cubs) was rained out. Coincidentally, the Cubs were one of two
Rox young sluggers aim to bring pop back to Coors Field
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Coors Field may provide the best run-scoring environment in Major League Baseball, but the Rockies haven’t taken advantage of it in recent years. Even without adjusting for Coors, they have fielded offenses worse than the league average the past three seasons, and they scored the fewest runs
Astros brass sees potential in consistently 'underranked' farm system
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The last time the Astros landed in the top 10 of MLB Pipeline’s farm system rankings was before the 2019 season. Since those rankings expanded to all 30 teams ahead of the 2020 season -- 11 lists in total -- they’ve never ranked higher than
Complete results and highlights from Spring Breakout
The second edition of MLB Spring Breakout is complete, and there was no shortage of highlights from the future stars of Major League Baseball over the four-day showcase. Here's a complete breakdown of the 16-game exhibition:
Southpaw Spring Breakout: White Sox future on display with Schultz, Smith
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- If all goes as planned for the White Sox, left-handers Hagen Smith and Noah Schultz won’t spend much time following each other to the mound in a single game. Schultz, the No. 1 White Sox prospect and No. 16 overall, per MLB Pipeline, and Smith, who is
In first pro game, Rainer offers pop, promise to Tigers fans
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Bryce Rainer’s pro career consisted of workouts and batting practice until Sunday.
'Me and Brady on the dirt again': House, King reunite at Spring Breakout
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The 2025 Spring Breakout was a flashback for Brady House and Seaver King. Over 10 years ago, the infielders were travel ball teammates in Georgia who shared the dream of making it to the Major Leagues. Now, they are top prospects in the same organization,
Lambert -- 'an adrenaline guy' -- hoping to be next Mets bullpen gem
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Ryan Lambert loves throwing hard. He relishes the idea of getting to two strikes and blowing hitters away. “Get me in a game,” Lambert said, “cool things will happen.”
Stewart embraces Spring Breakout: 'What's not to love?'
PHOENIX -- Sal Stewart was one fired-up Reds prospect. On Sunday in the first inning during the organization's 9-7 Spring Breakout win over Brewers prospects, Stewart lifted a 2-2 pitch that sailed over the center fielder's head to the wall. Already not known as a speedster, he stumbled running between
Prospect Peña quietly drawing raves in Brewers' farm system
PHOENIX – Jesús Made was at the top of the Brewers’ lineup for Sunday’s 9-7 loss to the Reds in the finale of MLB’s four-day Spring Breakout, a fitting perch when you consider that the 17-year-old infielder is under a bright spotlight as MLB Pipeline’s No. 55 prospect. Made could
Brecht -- in 1st outing since '24 Draft -- wows at Spring Breakout
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Sunday's Spring Breakout showcase was the perfect unveiling for Rockies No. 5 prospect Brody Brecht. A right-handed pitcher from the University of Iowa whom the Rockies selected 38th overall last summer, Brecht had a nice collegiate resume, an interesting backstory as a former wide receiver for the
Braves prospects show promise in Spring Breakout
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- As Terry Pendleton prepared to serve as the manager of the Braves prospect team that played the Tigers prospect team in a Spring Breakout game on Sunday afternoon, he said fans should be patient with John Gil and Luis Guanipa, a pair of teenagers who have
Yanks' Lagrange flashes triple-digit heat in Spring Breakout
SARASOTA, Fla. -- There was an audible “Ooh” from the crowd at Ed Smith Stadium, and Carlos Lagrange quickly glanced beyond the right-field wall, checking the velocity of the pitch he’d just thrown in Saturday’s 5-4 Spring Breakout loss to the Orioles. It had registered in the triple digits, and
Bradfield dedicates Spring Breakout performance to late friend
SARASOTA, Fla. -- It was about more than playing in the national spotlight. More than the dinner bet placed with an old college teammate earlier in the month. More than a game. As Enrique Bradfield Jr. slid home to score a run during the first inning of Saturday night’s Spring
'Hungry' Alcántara hoping to pounce on big league prey in '25
MESA, Ariz. -- The thing about jaguars is, you don’t want to see one when it’s hungry. So when Cubs legend Sammy Sosa spoke to the organization’s No. 6 prospect per MLB Pipeline -- and the No. 89 prospect overall -- the former slugger gave him some apt advice. “His
Rainiers broadcaster Pay talks historic role on MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Prospect Santos 'electric' in Spring Breakout start
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Malcolm Moore knew Winston Santos was locked in before he even threw a pitch. In the second annual Spring Breakout game, Santos -- the Rangers’ No. 5 prospect, per MLB Pipeline -- was throwing to Moore, the Rangers’ No. 4 prospect and highest-ranked catcher. The battery more
Switch-pitcher Cijntje deals from both sides in Spring Breakout
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Jurrangelo Cijntje knew who’d be waiting for him in the batter’s box when he emerged from the visiting bullpen on Friday evening. The Mariners’ switch-pitcher had seen Guardians infielder Travis Bazzana recently at a card-signing event, to which they each joked, “I’m going to see you soon,”
Fans in this Minor League town are hungry for ... the Spicy Meatballs?!?
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Chandler adds mix to upper-90s heat in stellar Spring Breakout start
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- In the inaugural Spring Breakout game a year ago, as he was coming out to pitch the ninth inning, Bubba Chandler slammed a Red Bull and declared “let’s do this” before pumping upper-90s heat.