The Gigantes de Carolina announced yesterday through their social media accounts that they would be counting on having the services of Orlando Rodríguez for the winter in the Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente.
After being released by the Cincinnati Reds in 2020, Rodríguez managed to return to a major league farm system via his signing with the Minnesota Twins on June 13, 2021. Before signing with the Twins, Rodríguez was pitching in the Frontier League with the Schaumburg Boomers.
In 50 innings with the Illinois squad, the Cuban hurler had a 4-1 record and an ERA of 2.44 causing the Twins to sign him. Last season in the minors with Cedar Rapids (A+), a farm team of the Twins and in 26 outings primarily as a reliever, he posted a 4-1 record, a 2.97 ERA and gave away 75 strikeouts in 60 innings. With a WHIP of 1.18 and an SO/9 of 11.1, Rodríguez had very promising numbers.
Last season he posted a 7-2 record and 2.43 ERA in 12 games in Advanced A, but was ultimately released by the ballclub. He then wound up in the Atlantic League with Gastonia where he had a 1-1 record and 11.40 earned run average. Rodríguez hopes to secure a job for the summer with a good in the LBPRC.
El derecho Orlando Rodríguez de los @Twins jugará este invierno con @CarolinaLBPRC de la @LBPRC .#pelotacubana #LBPRC pic.twitter.com/Rt43poCzba
— Yusseff305 🇨🇺🇺🇲 (@yusseff305) October 25, 2023
Cubans in the Winter Leagues this season:
LIDOM:
Yunesky Maya RHP (Águilas)
Yadiel Hernández OF (Águilas)
César Prieto IF (Águilas)
Ariel Miranda LHP (Águilas)
Andrew Suárez LHP (Águilas)*
Dairon Blanco OF (Estrellas)
Yasiel Puig OF (Estrellas)
Roel Santos OF (Estrellas)
José Barrero IF-OF (Estrellas)
Julio Robaina LHP (Estrellas)
Río Gómez LHP (Estrellas)*
Raúl Valdés LHP (Toros)
Darién Núñez LHP (Toros)
Julio Pablo Martínez OF (Toros)
Oscar Luis Colás IF-OF (Toros)
Diosbel Arias IF (Toros)
Henry Urrutia 1B-DH (Gigantes)
Yosver Zulueta RHP (Leones)
Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacífico:
Yasmany Tomás 1B-DH (Los Mochis)
Ronald Bolaños RHP (Los Mochis)
Albert Lara IF-OF (Navojoa)
Dariel Álvarez OF (Culiacán)
Miguel Romero RHP (Culiacán)
Peter O’Brien OF-1B (Culiacán) *
Félix Pérez OF-1B (Jalisco)
Yoennis Yera LHP (Jalisco)
Lázaro Blanco RHP (Mazatlán)
Yurisbel Gracial IF-OF (Mazatlán)***
Yoelkis Guibert OF (Guasave)
Yadir Drake OF-1B (Guasave)
JC Escarra C,OF,1B (Guasave)* (**)
Yoanys Quiala RHP (Monterrey)
Odrisamer Despaigne RHP ( Ciudad Obregón)
José Miguel Fernández 1B-DH (Ciudad Obregón)
Elían Leyva RHP (Hermosillo)
LBPRC:
Pedro Echemendia RHP (Ponce)
JC Escarra C,IF,OF (Ponce)*(**)
Yanquiel Fernández OF (Ponce)
Lázaro Estrada RHP (Santurce)
Orlando Martínez OF (Santurce)
Félix Stevens IF (Carolina)
Orlando Rodríguez RHP (Carolina)
LVBP:
Edgar Escobar RHP (Caribes)
Yoel Yanqui IF (Cardenales)
Jesús Balaguer RHP (Bravos)
Pablo Guillen RHP (Magallanes)
Carlos Juan Viera RHP (Caribes)
LBPN:
Lorenzo Quintana C (Tigres de Chinandega)
Rubi Silva IF-OF (Tigres de Chinandega)
Dayán García INF (Tigres de Chinandega)
José Ramón Rodríguez (Tigres de Chinandega)
Alay Lago INF (Tren del Norte)
Yoanner Negrín RHP (Leones de León)
Robert Roilan Portuondo RHP (Gigantes de Rivas)
*Cuban-American
** Will play with Guasave until November, after November will join Ponce.
*** invited to preseason camp