Andy Rodríguez (NPB)

Andy Amaury Rodríguez Valdés previously listed as Andy Valdés

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 198 lb.

• School Manuel Fajardo University of Sports and Physical Education

• Born December 8, 1998 in Havana Cuba

BR register page

Biographical Information

Andy Rodríguez has pitched in Cuba and Japan and for the Cuban national team.

He debuted in the 2017-2018 Serie Nacional, going 2-1 with a 4.70 ERA for the Leones de Industriales. He was 8th in the league in pitching appearances. In 2018-2019, he was 7-1 with two saves and a 3.40 ERA. He was 8th in appearances (31).

Rodríguez pitched for Cuba in the 2019 Premier 12. In his lone outing, he relieved Liván Moinelo with a 3-0 deficit, two outs and the bases loaded in the 8th against Canada. He struck out Kellin Deglan to escape the jam. In the 9th, though, he allowed a single to Dalton Pompey and walked Eric Wood before Vladimir García relieved. He was even better in 2019-2020 at 8-1, 1.99 with 17 saves. He tied Alberto Civil for 4th in appearances (33) and tied Carlos Santiesteban for the save lead. Despite pitching in relief, he still was 9th with 68 K, between Carlos Font and Dariel Góngora. In the playoffs, he gave up 4 runs (3 earned) in 3 2/3 innings. He was on Cuba's roster for the 2020 Americas Olympic Qualifier before it got postponed a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He was 5-5 with 12 saves and a 2.25 ERA for the 2020-2021, striking out 50 in 48 innings, then going 1-0 with 4 2/3 shutout innings in the postseason. He tied Carlos Ramírez for third in saves. He then signed with the Softbank Hawks in Japan, following Moinelo and fellow Cubans Alfredo Despaigne and Yurisbel Gracial.

Andy was picked for Cuba's team for the Americas Olympic Qualifier. He made one appearance, relieving Bryan Chi with one out and two on in the 5th and a 4-3 deficit against Venezuela. He escaped that jam, striking out Luis Castro and getting Ramón Flores to pop out. He allowed a Hernán Pérez homer to open the 6th then retired Alí Castillo, Juniel Querecuto and Robinson Chirinos in order. Carlos Pérez began the 7th with a single; he fanned Diego Rincones but Alexander Palma singled and Moinelo took over and did not allow the inherited runners to score. Cuba lost, 6-5, and did not make it to the 2020 Olympics.