Alfredo

Rodriguez

Rodriguez signed with the Nationals on a minor league contact back in late April and has been cut loose after hitting .200/.231/.267 with one homer and one steal in 42 games this season between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Rochester. The 28-year-old Cuban infielder has yet to reach the majors after six seasons in the minors since 2016.

Rodriguez will provide the Nationals with some organizational infield depth this season. The 27-year-old shortstop hit .283/.333/.354 with three homers and two stolen bases across 453 plate appearances last year at Triple-A Louisville in the Reds’ minor-league system.

Rodriguez was signed to a $7 million contract as a 21-year-old back in July of 2016. He spent the 2021 season at Triple-A Louisville where he slashed .283/.333/.354 with three homers, 48 RBI, two stolen bases and a 78/27 K/BB ratio in 453 plate appearances.

The two sides had reportedly reached an agreement as far back as January, though Rodriguez wasn’t eligible to sign until July. Rodriguez was the 2014 Rookie of the Year in Cuba’s Serie Nacional and ranked as the sixth best prospect available this signing period according to MLB.com.

Rodriguez left Cuba last May in order to pursue a contract with a major league team and has finally found a home. Known more for his glove than his bat, the 21-year-old batted .265/.301/.284 with no home runs and 12 steals over 304 plate appearances in his last year in Serie Nacional. He will be subject to the international bonus pools and won’t be big league-ready for a while.