Gabriel Rodriguez (minors03)

Gabriel Alcangel Rodriguez Morales

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 255 lb.
• Born December 29, 1967 in Dorado Puerto Rico

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Gabriel Rodriguez is a former minor league relief pitcher who, despite posting a 2.77 career ERA and a 1.68 ERA in his final season, peaked at AA.

He was sign as an undrafted free agent by the New York Yankees in 1985 by scout Fred Ferreira. The 17-year-old began his career with the GCL Yankees, going 0-1 with two saves and a 4.03 ERA in 13 games (one start). The following season, also with the GCL squad, Rodriguez went 2-1 with a 2.85 ERA in 19 appearances. In 41 innings, he allowed only 27 hits while striking out 36 batters.

He split 1987 between the GCL squad (1-0, 2.08 ERA, 2 G) and the Fort Lauderdale Yankees (3-3, 4.14 ERA, 14 G), going a combined 4-3 with a 3.74 ERA in 16 games (two starts). Despite an elevated ERA, he allowed only 37 hits in 45 2/3 innings of work.

1988, too, was split between two teams - Fort Lauderdale (2-1, 3.49 ERA, 12 G) and the Albany-Colonie Yankees (2-5, 5 Sv, 3.34 ERA, 23 G, 8 GS). He went 4-6 with a 3.39 ERA overall, striking out 82 batters in 90 1/3 innings, while allowing 80 hits and walking 49. He appeared in 19 games for Fort Lauderdale in 1989, going 0-1 with 3 saves and a 0.98 ERA. He was drafted by the Columbus Mudcats from the Fort Lauderdale Yankees in the AA phase of the 1989 Rule V Draft.

He pitched in the Houston Astros system in 1990, going 12-5 with 10 saves and a 1.68 ERA in 51 appearances for the Osceola Astros. In 91 innings, he allowed only 57 hits while striking out 89 batters. He tied for 5th in the Florida State League in appearances and tied for 7th in the Florida State League in wins (tying Todd Jones for the team lead). He did not make the FSL All-Star team as Larry Stanford and Barry Manuel were picked as the relievers. Despite his impressive numbers, that was his final professional season.

Overall, Rodriguez went 22-17 with 20 saves and a 2.77 ERA in 147 games (11 starts) in his six-year career. He allowed 247 hits and 138 walks in 308 2/3 innings, while striking out 277 batters.