On Tuesday night the Dominican Winter League championship series came to an end. Escogido entered the game with a 3-to-1 series lead over the Toros in the best-of-seven game series. Hector Rodriguez had not played during the playoffs for the Leones but he was back in the lineup for the championship series and he played a pivotal role in the game.
Rodriguez led off the bottom of the 1st inning with a single. He then moved up to second base on a single that followed from former Reds minor leaguer Erik Gonzalez. A ground out followed that moved him up to third base. With the infield drawn in, Rodriguez broke for the plate on contact by Junior Lake and despite the ball being fielded rather cleanly by the second baseman there were no chance at a play at the plate and he took the out at first base as the Reds prospect slid in safely to score the first run of the game.
It would turn out to be the only run of the game as eight pitchers for Escogido combined for the shutout performance to seal the second consecutive LIDOM title for the Leones. The Caribbean Series isn’t happening as usual this year. It was originally scheduled to be hosted in Venezuela but given the political situation in the country things moved to Mexico. But with the move to Mexico it also led to several teams choosing to not participate who were scheduled to play in Venezuela. The Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, and Mexico will be represented this year, with both of the teams who played in the Mexican Winter League championship playing in the 5-team tournament. Games will begin February 1st and the finals will be played on the 7th.
As for Hector Rodriguez, it’s unknown if he’ll play for Escogido in the Caribbean Series. But even if he doesn’t he’s had a heck of a winter. Between the regular season and the championship series for this year Rodriguez played in 35 games and hit .311/.395/.492 with more walks (16) than strikeouts (15) in his 152 plate appearances. And it’s worth noting that he was one of the youngest players in the league and he was the youngest player in the league who got 100 at-bats or more during the regular season. The outfielder won’t turn 22 until the middle of March.
Added to the 40-man roster by the Reds in November, Hector Rodriguez will be in big league camp in Goodyear. Pitchers and catchers report for the club on February 9th and position players will show up on the 14th.
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