After two starts, three Padres minor league starting pitchers – Burch Smith, Matt Wisler and Joe Ross -- have yet to allow a run and three others have allowed only one earned run.

But the focus this week is on offense, particularly the hitters at Double-A San Antonio where the team batting average is .301 after 10 games.

Five of the 10 leading hitters in the Texas League after the first 1 ½ weeks of the season are from San Antonio led by former Padres catcher Eddy Rodriguez, who is off to a .379 start.

Also in the top five of Texas League hitters are third baseman Jake Blackwood and first baseman Tommy Medica.


(utsandiego.com)

PEORIA, Ariz. -- The Padres trimmed their roster to 45 on Friday when they reassigned three players to Minor League camp.

Right-handed pitchers Daniel Stange and Thad Weber and catcher Eddy Rodriguez joined the rest of the Minor Leaguers in camp. The three weren't on the 40-man roster and didn't have to be optioned.

Rodriguez hit .308 in 13 at-bats over 14 games. He had one home run and knocked in three runs.

The Padres could bring any of the players they've sent to the Minor League side over for Cactus League games in the next week. The team breaks camp Thursday before heading to San Antonio to play two games against the Rangers at the Alamodome.


(mlb.com)

PEORIA, Ariz. — The alma mater of Padres catcher Eddy Rodriguez and first baseman Yonder Alonso has appeared in 23 College World Series, of which they have won four. However, in men’s basketball, the University of Miami is seeking its first NCAA championship, something Rodriguez and Alonso are confident will happen in just a few weeks.

The Hurricanes are the second seed in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament’s East Region. They open play on Thursday against the University of the Pacific.

“It’s unbelievable. Normally we’re a baseball and football school and now our basketball team is getting close to maybe achieving that prize of winning the championship,” said Rodriguez, who was the starting catcher for the University of Miami before being drafted in 2006 to the Cincinnati Reds.

Despite Rodriguez’s devotion to his alma mater, he says he won’t be filling out a bracket this year. “I personally don’t [have a bracket]. I know that Yonder does and he’s a big Miami guy too, but if I was doing mine I’d be pulling for the home team all the way throughout.”

Alonso did fill out a bracket, and he’s definitely behind his former team. He picked the Canes to go all the way, predicting an 88-82 win against Gonzaga.
Alonso played baseball at Miami for three seasons, leading the team to the College World Series in 2008 as the No. 1 seed. That year Alonso was drafted seventh overall by the Cincinnati Reds, and was traded to the Padres in 2011.

“They’re getting better and better and finally they put it all together. I’m definitely pulling for them in March Madness,” said Alonso.

Luckily for Rodriguez and Alonso, the Padres have Thursday, the first full day of the NCAA Tournament, off. They plan to take advantage of that and watch Miami take on the fifteenth seeded Pacific Tigers.

Alonso is going to have teammates over to watch the game, while Rodriguez will watch the Hurricanes before attending a Phoenix Coyotes hockey game Thursday night.

Padres’ outfielder Will Venable shares March Madness from a different perspective. He played basketball at Princeton University and competed in the NCAA Tournament in 2004.

“Playing in the Ivy League you only get to play really big games when you go outside of the conference, but even some of the games we were able to play didn’t amount to half of what it meant to play in the NCAA Tournament,” Venable recalls about playing in the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship Tournament as a junior.

“You realize how important it is not to just your team but to everyone around the country. It’s really something special to be a part of.”

With Princeton not making the tournament this year, Venable will be rooting for Georgetown, home to his former coach at Princeton, John Thompson III.


(utsandiego.com)

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Signed by San Diego in 2011 after two independent league seasons, catcher Eddy Rodriguez broke into the big leagues for a short, but sweet nine days last year after Yasmani Grandal went on the disabled list. Now back alongside Major Leaguers as a non-roster invitee in camp, Rodriguez is showing what kind of value he brings to the organization, even though he will all but certainly begin the season in the Minors.

"Where Eddy is in his career, he gives us a lot of protection at where he is," Padres manager Bud Black said. "He's a good fundamentally sound catcher, he can throw and he's got a great attitude. He understands the pitcher-catcher relationship and you need guys like Eddy. He still has a desire to be a Major League player."

The 27-year-old Rodriguez was catching with Class A Lake Elsinore on July 31 when he got the call to San Diego. In his first Major League at-bat, he smacked a home run off Reds ace Johnny Cueto, becoming the second Padres player to hit a homer in his first at-bat. Pitcher Dave Eiland also did so in 1992.

"You don't see that often," said Black about Rodriguez being promoted from Class A. "It takes a player with a lot of self-confidence to not be bothered at being in A ball at 27. We know wherever Eddy is, if something happens, he can come to the big leagues and handle himself."


(mlb.com)

Padres re-signed C Eddy Rodriguez to a minor league contract. Rodriguez, 26, made his major league debut with the Padres in 2012. Strictly a defensive catcher, he'll continue to serve as organizational depth at Triple-A Tucson.



(fantasysp.com)

Every Thursday Night proCanes.com joins All Canes Radio to bring the latest news on not only current Hurricane football but also proCane news and exclusive interviews with current and former proCanes live from Shake Shack in Coral Gables. Click here to listen to this week’s show and hear our exclusive interviews with proCanes Eddy Rodriguez and Damione Lewis. Eddy Rodriguez talks about being called up to the Major Leagues last year by the San Diego Padres, his friendship with other proCane Padres, the state of the current UM Baseball team, and much more!

Retired proCane DL Damione Lewis also joined us and talked about his playing days in the NFL, his Hurricane days, what it was to be a part of the greatest show on turf, the current state of the Hurricane football team and MUCH MORE!

The San Diego Padres today announced they have reinstated right-handed pitcher Anthony Bass from the 60-day disabled list, recalled right-hander Brad Boxberger and infielder/outfielder Andy Parrino from Triple-A Tucson and selected catcher Ali Solis from Double-A San Antonio. In addition, the club has designated right-handed pitcher Ross Ohlendorf and catcher Eddy Rodriguez for assignment. Executive Vice President/General Manager Josh Byrnes made the announcements.


(padres.com)

Let's talk about your road to the big leagues. You're in Single-A Lake Elsinore, the next day you're on a flight to Cincinnati to join a major league team. What is going through your head?
I almost didn't have time to have anything go through my head. It was a pleasant surprise. It's that call that I've been waiting for since I started playing this game when I was nine years old. I was surprised. I didn't really know what was going on. I've played this game long enough now to know that you can't really worry about what's going on in front of you. It takes care of itself, and I can't control it so I don't even worry about it. To tell you the truth, I went fishing that morning, and I was just happy I had a good day on the lake (laughs). I got a call at 10:45 and they said, "Hey, you're going to the big leagues" and I said, "Did you call the right guy?"

That jump from Single-A to the Big Show. That's huge. How did you mentally stay in the right place -- excited, but still under control?
I've had a smile from ear to ear since I got here. It hasn't changed since the minute I got the news. There's been a couple tears here and there in between but they've all been tears of joy. The path that we take -- I mean, every single ball player here has their unique story. And that's why this game is beautiful. You never know what's gonna happen.

To top it off, your first major league at-bat, you hit for a home run. I mean, can it get any better?
I couldn't have scripted it any better. I get Johnny Cueto, who is a possible Cy Young winner, an outstanding pitcher. I was at that point where I knew I had nothing to lose. I put in the hours of work, and you can't exchange anything for that. That peace of mind that you've put in the work, and whatever happens, happens. The game is going to take care of itself. All you gotta do is be prepared for that moment.

You're from Cuba. You and your family defected on your father's fishing boat when you were eight years old. The boat nearly capsized and drowned you all. What do you remember about that?
We snuck out. We spent three days on the ocean. It's one of those stories that takes about 30 minutes for me to get out. I normally get goose bumps. I was eight years old, and I couldn't be happier or more grateful to my parents for taking that opportunity. I wouldn't have played baseball in Cuba, just because of where I was. I lived out in the country.

You got to Miami. Was it tough to acclimate?
It was tough. The language barrier and the cultural barrier were the toughest things. But the thing is, you get to Miami. Miami is a mini-Cuba. That made it a little easier. But I got teased when I was younger because I didn't know English and people made fun of me and all that. And that's just kids being kids. But that's what made it a little tougher. Also, going from our home in Cuba to a tough financial situation, my mom cleaning houses and my dad working 40,50,60 hours a week on a consistent basis. It made it tough, but it just makes a moment like this more gratifying.

What's your relationship with Yonder?
We've grown up together. He's like my little brother but he got to the big leagues way before I did (laughs). It's awesome. The last time I saw him play, I was in Cincinnati after my independent league season was done. I was sitting in the stands. Two years later, it's a whole different situation. We're teammates.

Fishing is your hobby, your passion outside of baseball. How often do you go?
Last offseason, I fished at least twice a week. This offseason is going to be a little different. The most important thing is that I get ready for the season, but after I get back from this season, there's about a month where I won't do anything. There's 30 days in that month, about 25 of them I'm going to be on the water.

Does anyone fish with you?
I fish by myself. Its a passion that I've had. It's my getaway, my little sanctuary.

One thing on your bucket list?
Going to the World Cup.

Last meal on earth?
White rice, black beans, chicken and fried plantains.


(utsandiego.com)

SAN DIEGO — On Monday, Eddy Rodriguez was reeling in about a dozen bass while fishing in a kayak on Lake Elsinore.

On Tuesday, the 26-year-old catcher was headed to Cincinnati — yes, straight from the Single-A California League — and on Friday he was standing in front of his new locker at Petco Park, a little more than an hour's drive from where Rodriguez started a whirlwind week he won't soon forget.

"This game is weird, and it works in weird ways," Rodriguez said. "That's what makes it a beautiful game. That's what makes it a romantic's game. It's so crazy. I was in high A four days ago. I'm an hour away from there now, but I'm in the major leagues.

"You never know what to expect."

Rodriguez, of course, has plenty to romanticize about his jump from the Storm to the Padres this week, which began when the catcher replaced fellow University of Miami alum Yasmani Grandal on the Padres' roster against the very Reds team that released him in 2008. Two days later, Rodriguez homered in his first major league at-bat off Johnny Cueto, whom he'd come up alongside in the Reds' organization before spending two years in independent leagues.
The Padres signed Rodriguez to a minor league contract last year and assigned him to Lake Elsinore this year, where he was hitting .233 with 13 home runs and 36 RBIs when he was suddenly called up to replace Grandal.

"Just getting the news was huge for me," said Rodriguez, just the second Padre to homer in his first major league at-bat. "It was a dream come true. It was a long road to get here, and to get the opportunity to play, getting on the field was the relaxing part.

"I just wanted to get out there, see the field, get acquainted with everything and catch. As soon as I got a mitt in my hand, I was at a little more peace."


(nctimes.com)

CINCINNATI -- The Class A Lake Elsinore Storm, the Padres' affiliate in the California League, had the day off on Monday, which afforded catcher Eddy Rodriguez some down time.

Rodriguez spent part of the night watching the Padres' game against the Reds on television and saw the play in the second inning when San Diego catcher Yasmani Grandal strained his right oblique muscle on a swing.

A few hours later, Rodriguez's phone rang with the word that he was to fly to Cincinnati on Tuesday to join the team.

"It was an interesting call, but probably one of the best of my life," Rodriguez said. "Since then, it's been a crazy ride."

Rodriguez, 26, arrived before Tuesday's game as a replacement on the roster for Grandal, who he said is a good friend and like him, a former catcher for the University of Miami.

Rodriguez was beaming as he stood in front of his locker. It's been a long climb for a player who was first drafted by the Reds in 2005 and began his professional career in '06 -- a career that included stops with independent league teams before he signed with the Padres as a Minor League free agent prior to 2011.

"Baseball has its way of working things out," Rodriguez said, smiling.

Rodriguez was hitting .223 with 13 home runs and 36 RBIs with the Storm. Nick Hundley, who is on the disabled list with Triple-A Tucson nursing a hamstring injury, would have likely been the choice to join the Padres on Tuesday, but he's not quite game-ready.

When Hundley is ready, he'll likely rejoin the team. The Padres could have promoted Jason Hagerty from Double-A San Antonio and put him on the 40-man roster, but then when Hundley is ready to join the team, the Padres would have had to expose him to a waiver claim.

"Eddy's a guy who can catch and throw, and he showed well in Major League camp [in Spring Training]," Padres manager Bud Black said. "He was exposed to our coaches and to our pitching staff."


(mlb.com)

CINCINNATI -- The San Diego Padres have placed catcher Yasmani Grandal on the 15-day disabled list, a day after he strained muscles in his right side on a big swing.

San Diego called up catcher Eddy Rodriguez from Class A Lake Elsinore. The 26-year-old Rodriguez hit .223 with 13 homers and 36 RBIs this season. Rodriguez originally was drafted by the Reds in the 20th round in June 2006.

Grandal left an 11-5 win over the Reds on Monday night after a swing-and-miss and was treated for a strained oblique muscle. The rookie batted .312 with five doubles, five homers and 15 RBIs in 24 games over two stints with San Diego.

San Diego also moved right-hander Anthony Bass to the 60-day DL. He's been sidelined since June 24 with a sore shoulder.


(espn.com)

In game one on Wednesday of the Lake Elsinore Storms’ series against the High Desert Mavericks, the two battled into extra innings with a 10-10 tie in the ninth. The Storm was able to prevail and win 12-11.

Thursday, in game two of three the game went tied 5-5 into the ninth when Eddy Rodriguez hit a single to left field, scoring Casey McElroy to lift the Storm to a 6-5 victory.

Eddy Rodriguez tied the game up for the Storm when he hit a solo shot to right field. It was his third home run in two games and his team leading 11th of the season.

In the ninth his single scored a run and Kevin Quackenbush came in and picked up his 16th save of the season to claim the fifth consecutive series in the second half.

Storm reliever Alexis Lara went two innings, allowing no runs, no hits and struck out three for his first win with the Storm.


(swrnn.com)

Eddy Rodriguez went 3-for-4 and drove in three runs and the Storm racked up 15 hits Thursday night in an 8-5 victory over the High Desert Mavericks in front of 1,325 fans at Stater Bros. Stadium.

The victory pulled Lake Elsinore (32-29) to within a game of the first-place Mavericks (33-28).

Each Storm batter had a hit, and designated hitter Tommy Medica joined Rodriguez in driving in three runs. First baseman Conner Powers also had two hits.

Lake Elsinore trailed early, but scored four times in the fifth inning to take the lead. That gave starter Matt Andriese the victory after he struck out four and walked one in five innings.

Three relievers held the victory, including closer Kevin Quackenbush, who worked a scoreless ninth inning for his 12th save.


(nctimes.com)

LAKE ELSINORE -- Catcher Eddy Rodriguez hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the seventh inning and the Lake Elsinore Storm beat the Bakersfield Blaze 3-2 on Thursday night at The Diamond.

Blaze shortstop Billy Hamilton stole his 39th base of the season, scoring Bakersfield's lone run in the fifth inning.

Blaze starter Josh Smith allowed one run over six innings, striking out nine and allowing three hits. Bakersfield reliever Jamie Walczak allowed two runs over two innings to take the loss. Dennis O'Grady pitched two scoreless innings for the victory.

Lake Elsinore (20-21) plays host to the Balze (23-17) again today at 7:05 p.m.


(bakersfield.com)

Eddy Rodriguez, 26, who only three summers ago was the catcher for the El Paso Diablos, is one of seven catchers in the San Diego Padres’ major league camp.

“I’m pretty confident in what I bring to the table, but you never know,” said Rodriguez. “All you can do is show up and work hard.” The 6-foot, University of Miami (FL) product spent four seasons in the Cincinnati farm system, then played for El Paso, TX (American Association) before landing in Sioux Falls to anchor the catching for the record-setting 63-win season.

Known largely for his defense, Rodriguez is continuing to prove he also has some offensive skills, hitting 13 home runs and driving in 55 runs in 80 games at Sioux Falls and delivering another 10 round-trippers while covering all three classifications in his first season in the Padres’ system. “I’m a lot more confident after a couple of mechanical changes, and I have a better mental plan at the plate,” he said prior to spring training.

“An invitation to big-league camp is not something that is given out lightly, so we’re very excited about him having the opportunity,” praised Sioux Falls Manager Steve Shirley. One can only imagine the pride that showed up in the Pheasants’ office when the newspaper arrived Wednesday to show that Eddy Rodriguez, despite an 0-for-1 day, had gotten into his initial spring training game for a couple of innings, a 7-4 loss to Kansas City.


(ktsm.com)

PEORIA, Ariz. — They all wear midnight blue and white, but some bleed green and orange.

The San Diego Padres have five players in camp -- including two non-roster invitees -- that attended the University of Miami: first baseman Yonder Alonso, center fielder Blake Tekotte and catchers Yasmani Grandal, Jason Hagerty and Eddy Rodriguez.

“Every time we play with a fellow teammate or someone that played at Miami, it’s really like a family,” Grandal said. “Even if you didn’t play with them, we all know each other.”

Grandal and Alonso came from the Cincinnati Reds in a five-player deal for pitcher Mat Latos. Both players speak passionately about “the U,” as Miami is commonly referred to. Although the school is mostly known for football, its baseball program is just as rich in history.

They’re just two of 38 former Hurricanes on professional baseball rosters from a program that in baseball circles is widely known as one of the best in the country.

“The only reason they talk about the football team is because the publicity they get, but we’ve had almost the same history as they have,” Grandal said. “We’re a good program as well. I think both programs are known nationwide. It’s just a good system they got there whether it’s for football or baseball. We’ve both been successful.”

Grandal spent three seasons as a Hurricane. He played with Alonso during his freshman year. He said Alonso taught him a lot, including how to lead the team.

“That’s the thing about Miami, once you learn the system -- once you learn how to play Hurricane baseball – you try to pass that on,” Grandal said.
Grandal always saw former Hurricanes like Aubrey Huff, Pat Burrell and John Jay in the batting cages in the offseason. They always gave him tips to help him improve. The 53rd-ranked prospect by Baseball America said he always wanted to be listed with those players in the school’s media guide.

“More and more you see guys getting up and doing big things,” Grandal said. “Those big things go all the way back to the University of Miami.”
Grandal has a tattoo of the school’s logo inked inside of a baseball with a cross surrounding it. Alonso has a tattoo of the logo as well -- a big orange and green “U” on his shoulder.

“That says enough right there,” Alonso said when asked what the university means to him.

Alonso spent three seasons in Coral Gables, Fla. He still spends his offseason working out at the school’s facilities. Alonso grew up idolizing the program because he appreciated the way Miami played the game.

“A lot of swag,” Alonso said. “They knew they belonged, which is something big. You grow up watching them, imitating them and playing like them.”
At Miami, Alonso became good friends with Alex Rodriguez, who originally had committed to the Hurricanes in high school before he signed his first professional contract with the Seattle Mariners.

Their relationship started when Alonso asked Rodriguez if he could hit with him. Rodriguez thought it was funny Alonso wanted to compare himself to a professional baseball player, but agreed to Alonso’s request.

They went on to hit together for two months straight.

“Even to this day, I just talked to him a couple days ago and we were talking about how it was going with camp and (Padres manager) Bud Black,” Alonso said. “It’s just nice to have someone that knows the game that has been around the game for several years.”

Grandal and Alonso make sure to help current players on the team. It can become a difficult task now that they don’t reside on the East Coast for the majority of the year, but they understand how much the interaction with professional players benefited their play on the field.

“It’s a tradition, it’s an honor,” Alonso said. “With all of that said, you got to make sure you fit that role very well. If you don’t, it doesn’t sit very well with the people around there. You got to make sure that you not only carry it on the field but carry it outside the field, too.”


(utsandiego.com)

Five of the 60 Padres in the major league camp have common roots in the University of Miami.

And the common link between the five is first baseman Yonder Alonso, who played with the other four University of Miami products in the Padres camp.

Alonso played for the Hurricanes from 2006 to 2008 and has a “U” tattoo in the appropriate colors.

Eddy Rodriguez was the first of three current Padres catchers to play at Miami from 2004 to 2006. Jason Hagerty caught for Miami from 2007 to 2009. And Yasmani Grandal caught for Miami from 2008 to 2010.

Blake Tekotte was Miami’s center fielder from 2006 to 2008.


(utsandiego.com)

Check out our EXCLUSIVE photos from the 2012 UM Baseball Fan Fest which featured a HR Derby won by proCane Minnesota Twin Danny Valencia. Other proCanes like Jemile Weeks, Jon Jay, Chris Perez, Eddy Rodriguez and many more joined the festivities.


Jemile Weeks, Danny Valencia

Jemile Weeks

Peter O’Brien

The Maniac

Jemile Weeks

Rony Rodriguez

Danny Valencia

Jemile Weeks

Danny Valencia

Danny Valencia, Peter O’Brien




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