Josh Rodriguez
Encyclopedia
Joshua Joel Rodriguez is an American
professional baseball
infielder
for the Pittsburgh Pirates
of Major League Baseball
.
, and was selected by the Cleveland Indians
in the second round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft
. Rodriguez played for the AA Akron Aeros
in 2008, 2009, and the first part of 2010. On May 18, 2010, Rodriguez was promoted to the AAA Columbus Clippers
. He would go on to hit .293 in 86 games.
. Under the rules regarding Rule 5 players, Rodriguez had to stay on the team's major league roster for the entire 2011 season
, or be offered back to the Indians.
On March 27, 2011. the Pirates announced that Rodriguez would be on the team's Opening Day roster, after infielder Pedro Ciriaco
was optioned to the AAA Indianapolis Indians
. Pirates general manager Neal Huntington
stated Rodriguez proved during spring training that he is adept enough defensively to hold his own in the big leagues. Huntington also added that "[Rodriguez] is not your typical Rule 5 guy. He's a little better-equipped to handle the major league environment than a typical Rule 5 guy." The announcement of Rodriguez being named to the Pirates Open Day roster came moments after he and Ciriaco helped the team defeat the Tampa Bay Rays
in a spring training
game by scoring on a throwing error in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Pirates a 5-4 victory. He was designated for assignment on April 22 to make room for Brandon Wood
on the roster. The Cleveland Indians reacquired him on April 29 and assigned him to AAA Columbus. However, he was traded back to Pittsburgh on June 21 for cash considerations.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
.
Cleveland Indians
He attended Rice UniversityRice University
William Marsh Rice University, commonly referred to as Rice University or Rice, is a private research university located on a heavily wooded campus in Houston, Texas, United States...
, and was selected by the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
in the second round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft
2006 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2006 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 6 and 7. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams.-First Round Selections:...
. Rodriguez played for the AA Akron Aeros
Akron Aeros
The Akron Aeros are a minor league baseball team based in Akron, Ohio, USA. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians.The Aeros play in Canal Park, located in downtown Akron, which seats 9,097 fans...
in 2008, 2009, and the first part of 2010. On May 18, 2010, Rodriguez was promoted to the AAA Columbus Clippers
Columbus Clippers
The Columbus Clippers are a minor league baseball team based in Columbus, Ohio. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. The team is owned by the government of Franklin County, Ohio....
. He would go on to hit .293 in 86 games.
Pittsburgh Pirates
In December 2010, the Pirates selected Rodriguez with the first overall pick of the 2010 Rule 5 draftRule 5 draft
The Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
. Under the rules regarding Rule 5 players, Rodriguez had to stay on the team's major league roster for the entire 2011 season
2011 Pittsburgh Pirates season
The 2011 Pittsburgh Pirates season was the Pirates' 125th season as a member of Major League Baseball and 130th season overall. The season was the first with manager Clint Hurdle, who was hired to replace the fired John Russell...
, or be offered back to the Indians.
On March 27, 2011. the Pirates announced that Rodriguez would be on the team's Opening Day roster, after infielder Pedro Ciriaco
Pedro Ciriaco
Pedro Ciriaco is a right-handed baseball shortstop. He is a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates...
was optioned to the AAA Indianapolis Indians
Indianapolis Indians
The Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club. The Indians play at Victory Field, located in downtown Indianapolis...
. Pirates general manager Neal Huntington
Neal Huntington
Neal Alden Huntington is the 12th person to serve as General Manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates Major League Baseball organization...
stated Rodriguez proved during spring training that he is adept enough defensively to hold his own in the big leagues. Huntington also added that "[Rodriguez] is not your typical Rule 5 guy. He's a little better-equipped to handle the major league environment than a typical Rule 5 guy." The announcement of Rodriguez being named to the Pirates Open Day roster came moments after he and Ciriaco helped the team defeat the Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
in a spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
game by scoring on a throwing error in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Pirates a 5-4 victory. He was designated for assignment on April 22 to make room for Brandon Wood
Brandon Wood
Richard Brandon Wood is an American professional baseball infielder for the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed and was born in Austin, Texas.-2003-05:...
on the roster. The Cleveland Indians reacquired him on April 29 and assigned him to AAA Columbus. However, he was traded back to Pittsburgh on June 21 for cash considerations.