Eddy Rodriguez trying to catch on at Padres Training Camp

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)