Report: Cuban pitcher Yariel Rodriguez defects with hope of MLB deal

Rodriguez, 26, was one of the more dominant relievers in the NPB last season for Chunichi. In 54.2 IP he struck out 60 batters, posted a 1.15 ERA and didn’t allow a single home run. It was a breakout season for the former starter, his third in the NPB. 

His pro career began at age 18 in Cuba, where he posted a 3.30 ERA and 1.396 WHIP over 464.1 IP in six seasons. 

Despite the relief success, Cuba utilized him as a starter in the World Baseball Classic. He made a pair of starts, touching 96 MPH consistently while showcasing a slider that registered more than 3,000 RPM.

Rodriguez will need to establish residency in the Dominican Republic before Major League Baseball will declare him eligible to sign so the process could take some time. It’s entirely unclear at this point which teams will even express an interest, but a pitcher of Rodriguez’s pedigree should generate interest once he’s available on the open market. 

Rodriguez is the second member of Cuba’s WBC roster to defect since the tournament concluded, joining catcher Ivan Prieto.