Sean Rodriguez

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Sean Rodriguez
Rodriguez with the Tampa Bay Rays
Pittsburgh Pirates – No. 3
Infielder / Outfielder
Born: (1985-04-26) April 26, 1985 (age 39)
Miami, Florida
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 19, 2008, for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
MLB statistics
(through August 10, 2017)
Batting average.233
Hits516
Home runs71
Runs batted in265
Teams

Sean John Rodriguez (born April 26, 1985) is an American professional baseball utility player for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Tampa Bay Rays, and Atlanta Braves. While primarily a second baseman, Rodriguez has started at every position in his MLB career except for catcher and pitcher.

Early life

Rodriguez was born in Miami to Cuban parents. His father, Johnny, was largely responsible teaching his son the game of baseball. By the age of four, Sean was using a 30-inch bat, weighted with a baseball doughnut. At age eight, he could throw baseballs from the outfield to home plate.[1] Johnny also coached Sean in Little League. Though he wanted to play shortstop at the time, his father placed him in the outfield.[2] He attended Miami Coral Park High School and later transferred to G. Holmes Braddock High School.[3][4] His brother Robert played minor league baseball from 2002 to 2006.[5]

Professional career

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Rodriguez was drafted out of high school by the Anaheim Angels in the third round (90th overall) of the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft. Rodriguez, then primarily a shortstop, began his professional career for the Rookie League Tempe Angels in 2003. In 54 games, he batted .269 with 2 home runs.

Rodriguez split the 2004 season between the Rookie League Provo Angels and the Single-A Cedar Rapids Kernels. In a combined 121 games, he batted .297 with 14 home runs. Rodriguez was named to the Pioneer League postseason All-Star game and was the MVP of the game.[6] Rodriguez spent the entire 2005 season playing for the Kernels. He played in 124 games and batted just .250 with 14 home runs.[6]

Rodriguez with the Salt Lake Bees in 2009

In 2006, he split the year between the Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, the Double-A Arkansas Travelers, and the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees (just one game for them). In a combined 135 games, he batted .307 with 29 home runs. His 135 games were a career high for him and so were his .307 batting average, 29 home runs, 77 Run batted in (RBIs), 522 at-bats, and his 34 doubles. He also led the Quakes with 24 home runs, a .299 batting average, and was tied for first in doubles with 29.[6] Rodriguez was also named to the California League midseason and postseason All-Star game and after the minor league season, was named by Baseball America and Topps as a Class A All-Star.

In 2007, Rodriguez played for the Travelers again, this time for an entire season. In a career high 136 games, he batted .254 with 17 home runs and 73 RBIs. He led the Travelers with his 136 games played, 17 home runs, 73 RBIs, 84 runs (tied), and came in second with 129 hits and 31 doubles.[6] Rodriguez was also a Texas League midseason and postseason All-Star.

On November 6, 2007, Rodriguez's contract was purchased by the Angels, protecting him from the Rule 5 draft.[7] Rodriguez began the 2008 season for the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees. On April 18, 2008, he was recalled from the Bees and made his major league debut against the Seattle Mariners the next day.[8][9] He went 1–4 in his debut.[10]

Tampa Bay Rays

On September 1, 2009, he was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays as the player to be named in a deal that sent Scott Kazmir to the Angels.[11] Fellow minor leaguers Matt Sweeney and Alexander Torres also came to the Rays in the trade. Rodriguez was assigned to the AAA Durham Bulls, where he finished out the season.[6]

Rodriguez's final 2009 stats between Salt Lake City and Durham included a .294 batting average, 30 home runs, and 98 RBIs in 385 at-bats.[6] On September 23 Rodriguez helped Durham win the Triple-A championship, hitting a two-run homer in a 5–4 win over the Memphis Redbirds.

In 2010, he played for the Rays, as their part-time second baseman and utility player. In 343 at bats, he hit .251 with 9 home runs and 40 RBIs. He stole 13 bases on the year, while being caught stealing three times.[12]

During the 2011 season, Rodriguez played 101 games with a .209 batting average, 6 home runs, and 30 RBIs. During a game vs the Seattle Mariners on August 15, 2012, Rodriguez struck out looking for the final out in Félix Hernández's perfect game.[13][14] On August 21, 2012, Rodriguez was optioned to Triple-A after the team activated Luke Scott from the disabled list.[15]

In 2013, he set career lows in every offensive category while playing just 96 games for the Rays. Despite hitting a career low .211 in 96 games for the Rays in 2014, Rodriguez set career highs in home runs (12) and RBIs (41).[16] He was designated for assignment on November 26, when the Rays signed Ernesto Frieri.[17][18]

Pittsburgh Pirates

On December 1, 2014, Rodriguez was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for a player to be named later.[19][20] Pirates minor league right handed pitcher Buddy Borden was the player to be named later, as he was sent to the Tampa Bay Rays to complete the trade for Rodriguez.[21][22]

On October 7, 2015, Rodriguez was ejected from the NL Wild Card game for his role in a benches clearing brawl after Chicago Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta was intentionally hit by a pitch from Pirates relief pitcher Tony Watson. Earlier in the game, Francisco Cervelli along with Josh Harrison, were hit by Arrieta.[23]

On December 17, 2015, Rodriguez re-signed with the Pirates on a one-year, $2.5 million contract.[24] For the week of September 12-18, 2016, Rodriguez and Brandon Drury were named the National League's Co-Players of the Week, after Rodriguez batted .414 (12-for-29), with six runs scored, five home runs, 12 RBIs, and a 1.386 OPS.[25]

Atlanta Braves

On November 30, 2016, Rodriguez officially signed a two-year, $11.5 million contract with the Atlanta Braves.[26] On January 28, 2017, Rodriguez was injured when his SUV was struck in a side collision by a stolen police cruiser.[27] The rotator cuff on his non-throwing arm required surgery, which was performed on February 14.[28] His wife was hospitalized in fair condition, and two of his children in serious but stable condition.[27]

Second stint in Pittsburgh

The Atlanta Braves traded Rodriguez to the Pittsburgh Pirates on August 5, 2017, in exchange for Connor Joe.[29][30] In his first game back with the Pirates, he hit a walk-off home run.[31]

Personal life

Rodriguez and his wife, Giselle, have four children.[32] Rodriguez is heavily involved in autism awareness, as his son, Sean Jr., is highly-functioning with autism.[33]

References

  1. ^ Topkin, Marc (March 6, 2010). "Tampa Bay Rays' Sean Rodriguez was raised by his father to be a major-leaguer". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
  2. ^ Adler, David (June 12, 2014). "Rays' Rodriguez groomed by father for baseball". MLB.com. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
  3. ^ Dell, Alan (March 7, 2010). "Two young Rays off to great start". Bradenton Herald. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
  4. ^ Chastain, Bill (September 1, 2009). "Rays get Rodriguez from Angels". MLB.com. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
  5. ^ "Johnny Rodriguez: State College Spikes 2015 Coaching Staff". MILB.com. 2015. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
  6. ^ a b c d e f "Sean Rodriguez Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
  7. ^ "Angels add three players to 40-man roster". MLB.com. November 6, 2007. Retrieved February 18, 2017.
  8. ^ DiGiovanna, Mike (April 19, 2008). "It's been a bit too close for comfort". No. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
  9. ^ "Banged up Hunter makes game-saving catch for Angels". CBS Sports. April 19, 2008. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
  10. ^ "Angels 4, Mariners 1". CBS Sports. April 19, 2008. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
  11. ^ Plunkett, Bill (September 1, 2009). "Reagins confirms Rodriguez to Rays". Orange County Register. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
  12. ^ "Sean Rodriguez Stats". ESPN. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
  13. ^ "Felix Hernandez throws first perfect game in Seattle Mariners history, third in MLB this season, against Tampa Bay Rays". New York Daily News. Associated Press. August 16, 2012. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
  14. ^ Topkin, Marc (August 15, 2012). "Felix Hernandez throws perfect game in Seattle Mariners' 1-0 win over Tampa Bay Rays". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
  15. ^ "Rays activate Luke Scott from DL". ESPN.com. Associated Press. August 21, 2012. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
  16. ^ "Pirates acquire infielder Sean Rodriguez from Rays". Sports Illustrated. December 1, 2014. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
  17. ^ Topkin, Marc (November 26, 2014). "Rays designate Sean Rodriguez, sign reliever Ernesto Frieri". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
  18. ^ "RHP Ernesto Frieri to join Rays". ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 26, 2014. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
  19. ^ "Rays trade utilityman Sean Rodriguez to Pirates". USA Today. Associated Press. December 1, 2014. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
  20. ^ "Sean Rodriguez traded to Pirates". ESPN.com. December 1, 2014. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
  21. ^ Laymance, Austin (December 12, 2014). "Borden acquired as final piece of Rodriguez trade". MLB.com. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
  22. ^ "Pirates complete Sean Rodriguez trade, send Borden to Rays". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. December 12, 2014. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
  23. ^ "Benches clear in Chicago Cubs-Pittsburgh Pirates game after Jake Arrieta hit by pitch". ESPN.com.
  24. ^ Berry, Adam (December 17, 2015). "Pirates re-sign Sean Rodriguez". MLB.com. Retrieved December 17, 2015.
  25. ^ "Sean Rodriguez, Brandon Drury win weekly honor". MLB.com. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
  26. ^ Bowman, Mark (November 30, 2016). "Braves, S. Rodriguez complete 2-year deal". MLB.com. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
  27. ^ a b "Braves IF Rodriguez, family hit in deadly crash". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
  28. ^ Bowman, Mark (February 15, 2017). "Rodriguez likely out for '17 after shoulder surgery". MLB.com. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  29. ^ "Pirates reacquire Sean Rodriguez in trade with Braves". ESPN.com. August 6, 2017. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
  30. ^ Bowman, Mark (August 5, 2017). "Braves deal Rodriguez back to Bucs". MLB.com. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
  31. ^ "Sean Rodriguez caps return to Pittsburgh Pirates with game-winning homer vs. San Diego Padres". UPI. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  32. ^ "Pirates' Sean Rodriguez enjoying family time". Retrieved January 30, 2017.
  33. ^ "Rays' Rodriguez has personal stake in fight". April 20, 2012. Retrieved January 30, 2017.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sean Rodriguez.
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