Cristián Rodríguez (baseball)

Cristián Rodríguez
Cristián Rodríguez
Chunichi Dragons – No. 95
	Infielder
	Born: 31 March 2002 (age 22); Villa Clara Province, Cuba
	Bats: Right Throws: Right
NPB debut
	29 March, 2024, for the Chunichi Dragons
NPB statistics ; (through 2024)
Batting average	.130
Home runs	0
Runs batted in	1
Teams
	Chunichi Dragons (2024–present);

Cristián Leandro Rodríguez García (born 31 March 2002) is a Cuban professional baseball infielder for the Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has previously played for Villa Clara in the Cuban National Series.

Early career

Rodríguez was born on 31 March 2002 in Villa Clara Province. He debuted in the 2020–21 Cuban National Series with Villa Clara, finishing the season with a .133 batting average, two hits and two RBI in 23 games. The next season, Rodríguez appeared in 72 games, recording a .283 batting average, 58 hits, one home run and 27 RBI.^[1]

Professional career

On 3 November 2023, Rodríguez was signed by the Chunichi Dragons of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) as a development player. Kazuyoshi Tatsunami, manager of the Dragons, stated that Rodríguez "has good glove control and a strong shoulder".^[2]^[3]

He made his NPB debut with the Chunichi Dragons on 29 March 2024, in the 2024 NPB season opening day against the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in the Meiji Jingu Stadium, playing as shortstop and eight batter.^[4]^[5] Rodríguez appeared on 23 games during the 2024 season, recording a .130 batting average, seven hits and one RBI.

International career

Rodríguez was selected to represent Cuba in the 2024 WBSC Premier12.^[6]

References

^ "Cristián Leandro Rodríguez García". beisbolcubano.cu (in Spanish). Retrieved 5 November 2024.
^ "ドラゴンズニュース：新外国人選手獲得について". dragons.jp (in Japanese). 3 November 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
^ "中日ドラゴンズ、キューバ出身の2選手を育成で獲得". chunichi.co.jp (in Japanese). 3 November 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
^ "【中日】中田翔が「4番・一塁」で竜デビュー三好、田中、ディカーソン、ロドリゲスがプロ初開幕スタメン". chunichi.co.jp (in Japanese). 29 March 2024. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
^ "Christian Rodriguez Joins Chunichi Dragons' Opening Day Roster". The Cuban Baseball Digest. 20 March 2024. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
^ "Cuba announce 28-player roster for WBSC Premier12". wbsc.org. 4 November 2024. Retrieved 5 November 2024.

External links

Career statistics from Baseball Reference (Minors)
Career statistics – NPB.jp

[1] "Cristián Leandro Rodríguez García". beisbolcubano.cu (in Spanish). Retrieved 5 November 2024.

[2] "ドラゴンズニュース：新外国人選手獲得について". dragons.jp (in Japanese). 3 November 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2024.

[3] "中日ドラゴンズ、キューバ出身の2選手を育成で獲得". chunichi.co.jp (in Japanese). 3 November 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2024.

[4] "【中日】中田翔が「4番・一塁」で竜デビュー三好、田中、ディカーソン、ロドリゲスがプロ初開幕スタメン". chunichi.co.jp (in Japanese). 29 March 2024. Retrieved 5 November 2024.

[5] "Christian Rodriguez Joins Chunichi Dragons' Opening Day Roster". The Cuban Baseball Digest. 20 March 2024. Retrieved 5 November 2024.

[6] "Cuba announce 28-player roster for WBSC Premier12". wbsc.org. 4 November 2024. Retrieved 5 November 2024.

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