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Astros agree to sign Cuban RHP Elian Rodriguez for $2MM

Discussion in 'Houston Astros' started by rocketpower2, Jun 6, 2017.

  1. rocketpower2

    rocketpower2 Member

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    The Astros have an agreement to sign 20-year-old Cuban lefthander Elian Rodriguez for $2 million, pending a physical. Rodriguez is subject to the international bonus pools, so with the 100 percent overage tax, the total cost to the Astros will be $4 million.

    At 6-foot-4, 205 pounds, Rodriguez has a strong, athletic frame with wide shoulders and long limbs. While I haven’t seen Rodriguez pitch myself, reports from those who have are that his stuff has climbed considerably since he was in Cuba. Rodriguez was throwing in the upper-80s when he left Cuba, but more recently in the Dominican Republic, Rodriguez has topped out at 97 mph, sitting in the low-to-mid 90s in short stints at workouts. Rodriguez throws two breaking balls, including a hard slider that’s his best secondary pitch at 84-88 mph and can miss bats, along with a solid upper-70s curveball and a mid-80s changeup that he hasn’t used much yet. While his command has been scattered at times, he did shown some signs of improvement with his strike-throwing at recent workouts.
     
    #1 rocketpower2, Jun 6, 2017
    Snake Diggit, body slam, No Worries and 1 other person like this.
  2. xcrunner51

    xcrunner51 Contributing Member

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    MOAR PROSPECTZ!
     
    #2 xcrunner51, Jun 6, 2017
  3. tellitlikeitis

    tellitlikeitis Canceled
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    Better stuff than Cionel, although Cionel probably has better feel for his.

    He'll be able to play once the contract is approved.

     
    #3 tellitlikeitis, Jun 6, 2017
  4. Spacemoth

    Spacemoth Contributing Member

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    Remember when he arrived in Miami on that inner tube, and his dad forced him to go back to Cuba?
     
    #4 Spacemoth, Jun 6, 2017
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  5. juicystream

    juicystream Contributing Member

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    If only we had signed Gonzalez...
     
    #5 juicystream, Jun 6, 2017
    kaleidosky and conquistador#11 like this.
  6. NIKEstrad

    NIKEstrad Contributing Member
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    Looks the article is confused -- based on the video (and title), he's a righty -would've been nice to add a lefty, but still appreciate how aggressive we've gone after international signees before the rules change.
     
    #6 NIKEstrad, Jun 6, 2017
  7. tellitlikeitis

    tellitlikeitis Canceled
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    Official

     
    #7 tellitlikeitis, Jun 15, 2017
  8. Uprising

    Uprising Contributing Member

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    damn. If this current ownership has shown one thing....they have no problem investing in the future...

    The deal raises Houston's international signing bonus total to $10,757,500, well above its $2,197,000 signing bonus pool, and the Astros will incur a tax of $8,560,500.
     
    #8 Uprising, Jun 15, 2017
  9. donkeypunch

    donkeypunch Contributing Member

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    Damn that cheap Crane
     
    #9 donkeypunch, Jun 16, 2017
  10. sealclubber1016

    sealclubber1016 Member
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    Can never have too many pitching prospects, and this is the year we are all in for the international signings.

    Even if we do make a splash and move some prospects, this regime clearly realizes the importance of keeping the talent flowing.
     
    #10 sealclubber1016, Jun 16, 2017
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  11. The Drake

    The Drake Member

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    Any speculation on where he'll report?
     
    #11 The Drake, Jun 16, 2017
  12. Snake Diggit

    Snake Diggit Member

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    My guess is he will be in the DSL this season then start next year in Quad Cities or Buies Creek.
     
    #12 Snake Diggit, Jun 16, 2017
  13. sealclubber1016

    sealclubber1016 Member
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    Seems a little conservative to send a 20 year old to the DSL. I would assume he would start at Greeneville, or maybe Tri Cities on the aggressive side.
     
    #13 sealclubber1016, Jun 16, 2017
  14. Joe Joe

    Joe Joe Go Stros!
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    Astros started Sierra in DSL last year. I think it depends on how ready he is for the US in more than just during games. It may or may not be better for him to be in a Spanish speaking environment for developmental purposes while they work on his baseball English. Just depends on what he needs most.
     
    #14 Joe Joe, Jun 16, 2017
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  15. juicystream

    juicystream Contributing Member

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    The DSL would only be to ease him into it culturally. Personally I'd guess the GCL, given that there will still be plenty of Spanish speaking people, including a large Cuban population (not that it is anywhere near the numbers it would be in Miami, but Miami isn't an option). I think Greeneville or Tri-City would be a more difficult transition.

    Given Cionel Perez starting out in Quad Cities, I'd assume that is where he will be headed next season.
     
    #15 juicystream, Jun 16, 2017
    Joe Joe likes this.
  16. PhiSlammaJamma

    PhiSlammaJamma Member

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    Saweett!
     
    #16 PhiSlammaJamma, Jun 16, 2017
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