Luis Rodriguez (minors12)

Luis Alberto Rodriguez Ruiz
(The Machete)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11", Weight 195 lb.

• Born January 3, 1974 in Caracas, Distrito Federal Venezuela

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Luis Rodriguez played in the minor leagues from 1994 to 2015. A catcher gifted with a strong arm, he was nicknamed "the Machete" for his ability to cut down opposite runners.

He started his professional career in 1994 with the GCL Blue Jays in the Toronto Blue Jays organization. He played five seasons in the Blue Jays' system, reaching AAA with the Syracuse SkyChiefs for three games in 1997 and five games the following year. In 1999, he moved to the Boston Red Sox organization and played there until 2002. There, he spent more time in the higher reaches of the minors as he played at least a few games at AAA with the Pawtucket Red Sox each of those four years, including full seasons as the team's back-up catcher in 2001 and 2002. He finished his career in organized baseball with stints with the Memphis Redbirds in 2003 and the Toledo Mud Hens in 2004. While his defense was good, he usually batted around .260 with little power and never got a call to the Show.

However, he far from done as a player at that time, as he began a second career in the independent leagues by playing 59 games with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League. He then played three seasons with the Nashua Pride, in both the Atlantic League and the Can-Am Association, then found a long-term home in 2008 with the Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League, staying with the team until 2015, when he still got into 56 games as a catcher. Starting in 2012, he was a player/coach, and in 2016, he was named the team's manager, replacing Ricky VanAsselberg.

Overall, he played over 1700 minor league games. Catcher was his main position, but he also saw time at first, second and third base, in the outfield, as a designated hitter, and even pitched 7 times.

Year-By-Year Minor League Managerial Record

Year	Team	League	Record	Finish	Organization	Playoffs
2016	Bridgeport Bluefish	Atlantic League	66-74	7th	Independent Leagues
2017	Bridgeport Bluefish	Atlantic League	76-64	1st	Independent Leagues