Earlier today the colleague Francys Romero broke the news that the Chunichi Dragons have decided to release right-hander Yariel Rodríguez making him available to sign with a major league ballclub once he applies for and receives his international free agency. This essentially removes him from the restricted list paving the way for his free agency application.
Also according to Romero, the hurler is in the Dominican Republic and is seeking to sign with an MLB club. According to scouting reports, the “Gallero de San Serapio” is valued at 50 million and does not have any type of restriction impeding his possible signing because he is over 25 years old and has played six years in a professional league. Rodríguez was solid and borderlining spectacular in his starts in the World Classic.
During that tournament the righty tossed 7⅓ allowing two earned runs and striking out 10 batters. Although he did not factor in any decision he posted a 2.45 earned run average, but did walk an alarming six batters during his two starts in the tournament.
Cuban ace in the V World Baseball Classic, RHP Yariel Rodriguez (26) received his release today from the Chunichi Dragons in the NPB, per sources.
Yariel is represented by Edgar Mercedes, a Dominican agent and businessman who has managed this release. Mercedes has previously… pic.twitter.com/rZ2j6l6QH0
— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) October 5, 2023
Rodríguez worked in 56 games and in 54.2 innings of work where he only gave up seven earned runs last season in the NPB. Yariel had a 1.15 earned run average during 2022 and fanned 60 while only walking 18. During the campaign he did not allow a long ball and was named the reliever of the year in the land of the rising sun. The righty also tallied 39 holds and notched six victories in 2022. The only reason the right was not the team’s closer was because Raidel Martínez his countrymen held that role.
The flamethrower’s fastball hit 100 miles per hour on the radar during one of his outings with the Chunichi last season. We will have to wait and see which organizations are interested in him and what role he will be assigned upon signing. Rodríguez is represented by Edgar Mercedes a Dominican agent and businessman who has also represented the likes of Yoenis Céspedes,Yunesky Maya and Luis Robert.