Camagüey, Cuba native Yariel Rodríguez did not have a good rookie season in MLB with the Toronto Bluejays. Although his team did not qualify for the postseason this year was a learning experience for the right-hander. The flamethrowing righty looks forward to offseason to work on his craft.
On the year Rodríguez could only muster up two quality starts in 21 outings, notched one victory as opposed to eight losses. In 86.2 innings pitched the hurler posted a 4.47 ERA and batters only hit .229 against against him on the campaign. Rodríguez also managed retire 85 batters via the strikeout on the season.
Recently the colleague Alfre Álvarez was talking with Cuba’s ace during the last edition of the World Baseball Classic in an interview conducted for Martí Noticias. Rodríguez gave a Álvarez a brief account of what this first season in MLB was like for him.
In your first season in the Major Leagues, what were those most difficult challenges?
There were many challenges, it is my first year. I had a long period of inactivity and I also came from a reliever to being a starter. It has been a little hard, but with preparation and dedication I’ve managed to reach the big leagues this year.
What was the hardest adjustment you’ve had to make in your move from Japan to MLB?
There are many changes I’ve had to make, the Major Leagues are extremely more talented than the Nippon League, it is not that the NPB is not a talented league, but there are better hitters in the MLB, they are more selective and with a lot less weaknesses. I’ve had outings in which I have thrown a lot of balls, but that has been more about trying to get the batters to chase pitches and being careful with my pitch selection. Because there are many hitters in this league with a lot of power and you have to be a little more careful when you pitch to them. I think that is the biggest difference between the two leagues.
What part of your game do you need to work on during the offseason?
Well yes, I have a lot of work to do, because it has been a year with a lot of experience, they have given me quite a few opportunities here on the team and I have to train a lot preparation this offseason. I have work to do on my control , especially on hitting my spots on the corners. That was my biggest deficiency last year. Due to the fact that I had a lot of showcases before I signed, I didn’t have an offseason. This year I want to prepare well and I think that 2025 is going to be a good year for me.
How does family influence Yariel Rodríguez’s career?
Family means a lot to me, my parents, my brother, my wife and my son. Here I have my wife and my son with me, they have always meant a lot, my parents support me from a distance. They are always attentive of to when I pitch giving me that encouragement that I need. My wife, too, has always been there in my difficult all the moments of my career, the difficult and happy ones.
In this your first year, who has been the player or coach within the Blue Jays organization that has given you the best advice or helped you the most?
Most of the guys here have approached me , given me their undivided attention and plenty of good advice. José Berríos has helped me plenty, he’s a pitcher with a lot of experience and a tremendous person. Vladimir Guerrero has also always given me good advice being the good person that he is, I admire that a lot. His advice has been very helpful to me here, because I have made a drastic change in my lifestyle. Good advice is always welcomed and appreciated. I am very grateful to the entire team and the coaching staff because they have welcomed me with open arms.
What do you miss most about Japan?
I miss many thing about Japan. It is a very laid back country, there is an enormous discipline in all of the team’s of the NPB. There are many fans of the league are incredible and motivate you to play hard.