SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO — Elmer Rodríguez is quickly climbing the ranks among MLB pitching prospects. The New York Yankees 22-year-old right-hander now has an opportunity to check off another box, which is pitching in front of his friends and family as a professional in his homeland of Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic.
“It feels good, like, I’ve always wanted to be here,” the native of Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico told Latino Sports over the weekend at Hiram Bithorn Stadium.
“My first time playing here, I never got the chance to play winter ball. I’m playing here with my family and friends. I know it’s gonna be special and I’m just looking forward to that.”
Rodríguez took yet another jump this offseason and now has Yankee fans and many in the front office dreaming of his MLB debut, which is expected to come at some point this season. He has never played in Hiram Bithorn Stadium and hasn’t participated in the Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente (LBPRC) which is named in honor of “The Great One” Roberto Clemente.
“I mean, I’ve worked the same,” explained Rodríguez. “I’ve worked the last offseason just trying to refine my pitches, like, command wise, execution, just get a better feel for myself. And I think I did that so I’m good right now.”
Traded by the Boston Red Sox to the Yankees last offseason for catcher Carlos Narváez, Rodríguez, at that point, was largely an unknown.
“Last year it was tough adjusting to a new team with the Yankees, but this spring training I feel way more comfortable.”
That changed very quickly when he started sitting down minor league hitters with ease and made the jump from High-A Hudson Valley to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
With the Yankees current starting rotation, there could be a strong argument that Rodríguez is their sixth starting pitcher on the depth chart.
“It’s been fun. I love competing with our prospects and I’ve loved learning from the veterans in the starting rotation.”
Elmer Rodríguez noted how he’s picked up several valuable learning lessons from many veterans and coaches in the Yankees organization this offseason and throughout spring training – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
Rodríguez was drafted out of Leadership Christian Academy in Puerto Rico by the Red Sox in the fourth round of the 2021 MLB Draft.
“I always had this dream to play baseball since I was a child playing in Puerto Rico.”
He reflected fondly on playing many youth tournaments in Puerto Rico, but couldn’t single out his favorite memory. He also stated that the first time he started to dream about playing for Puerto Rico in the WBC was back in 2017, when the island lost to Team USA in the finals.
Moreover, Rodríguez already got off to a good start with Puerto Rico when he shutout his former team, the Red Sox, in an exhibition last week with three shutout innings and two strikeouts.
As Monday rolls around, Rodríguez is set to take the ball against Cuba with a chance to push Puerto Rico through Pool A of the 2026 WBC.
A 22-year old kid with a dream to show out for his island now has the opportunity to further enhance his legacy.
Looking at the standings and overall picture—Puerto Rico stands 2-0 while Cuba is 1-0, so if Cuba were to win on Sunday, it would set up a showdown for the top spot in Pool A, as Canada lurks closely at 1-0.
Only two teams in Pool A can advance to the knockout stage with the final eight teams of the WBC.
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