Industriales manager Guillermo Carmona announced today the incorporation of ex-MiLB player Alfredo Rodríguez to the team’s roster for the upcoming Serie Nacional, this comes off the heels of the announcement that ex-big leaguer Yasmany Tomás would also be on the squad this season.
Rodríguez who can play various infield positions was a top signee for the Cincinnati Reds during the international free agency period in 2016. The ex-Serie Nacional Rookie of the Year signed for 7 million with ballclub. During his six minor league season in the Reds and Nationals’ farm systems he slashed .255/.304/.317/.620 with nine longballs and 155 runs batted in.
Ex-big leaguer @eltanquetomas and ex-Reds prospect Alfredo Rodríguez will return to Havana’s Industriales for the upcoming Serie Nacional.#CubanBaseballDigest #SerieNacional pic.twitter.com/QwI2uTGeo6
— Cuban Baseball Digest (@CBaseballDigest) February 21, 2024
In the case of Tomás the slugger returns to the Cuban tournament for the second straight summer. Last season the first baseman returned to Cuba and the Serie Nacional for the playoffs after not being able to secure a contract in either México or Asia. During his five Series Nacionales with Havana’s Industriales he hit .290 with 39 homeruns and 151 RBIs. Tomás announced his interest in playing with Cuba in last year’s World Baseball Classic, but was snubbed by the island for the event.
Tomás played in the major leagues for four years with the Arizona Diamondbacks hitting .266 with 48 with 163 runs batted in, this includes a career year in 2016 when he hit 31 homeruns, swatted 30 doubles and knocked in 83 runs. Both players are looking to showcase their talents in search of a signing in a foreign league that will have them. The native of Havana signed a 6-year, 68.5 million dollar contract with the Diamondbacks in 2014.