Yankees prospect Osiel Rodríguez living the Cuban dream

By Yusseff Díaz

Orlando “El Duque” Hernández was already 32 when he arrived in the Bronx from Cuba in 1998 to play for the Yankees a year after his younger half-brother Livan helped the Florida Marlins win the World Series.

Defecting from Cuba to play in the majors in the late 1990s was a drastic, life-altering move because it had been more than a generation since Fidel Castro’s regime first closed the door to free movement.

When 16-year-old Osiel Rodríguez signed with the Yankees this summer, the process was totally different. He brought one of his best friends with him into the Yankees’ system. Moreover, he has more recent examples of Cuban defectors starring in the majors. From Liván Hernández and “El Duque” to the late José Fernández, it’s easy for a Cuban pitcher to see successful examples of what is possible.

Dreaming together

Rodríguez was one of the top international free agents this summer. He drew interest from all of the top teams in Major League Baseball. He also made sure he wasn’t moving into professional baseball alone.

Rodríguez was one of the five Cuban prospects the Yankees signed this summer. He joined good friend Denny Larrondo, a lefthander.

“I love [Larrondo] like a brother,” Rodríguez said. “We are going to help and push each other to be the best pitchers possible. God willing one day we will be teammates in the majors.”

“It is every kid’s dream in Cuba to pitch in Yankee Stadium.”

Big skills draw big comparisons

Already 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds with a repertoire that defies his age, Rodríguez dominated international showcase events.

Because of his build and his polished set of complementary pitches Rodríguez has drawn comparisons to Fernández, the former Marlins ace who died in a boat accident two years ago.

“I am very happy to be compared to such a great pitcher,” he said. “If it wasn’t for his untimely death he might have been the best pitcher in the league today.

“I want to be like Fernández – or better.”

He also noted that he would also like to model his game after Cuban national team starter Freddy Asiel Álvarez and Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander.

Pinstripes Proud

The young power pitcher credits his trainer Chiqui Mejía with helping him develop his velocity. They worked on strengthening his back, legs, and shoulder.

The physical preparation will continue. Rodríguez chart his own path up the minor leagues with hopes of one day stepping on the mound at Yankee Stadium wearing the famed pinstripes.

“It brings me great joy to have signed with winningest franchise in baseball history,” Rodríguez said. “Being a Yankee gives me more incentive to reach the big leagues.”

Featured Image: Osiel Rodríguez Facebook