MLB Teams Line Up to Watch Cuban Pitcher Yariel Rodriguez's First Tryout

After playing in Cuba and Japan the past few years, right-handed pitcher Yariel Rodriguez is likely to have plenty of suitors in MLB free agency.

Yariel Rodriguez's journey to the big leagues just became a lot more real.

According to reporter Francys Romero, more than 15 MLB teams were in attendance for Rodriguez's first tryout in the Dominican Republic on Tuesday. The right-handed pitcher from Cuba was just released from his contract with the Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Professional Baseball on Thursday, although the 26-year-old did not compete at all for the club in 2023.

Despite the long hiatus, Rodriguez still managed to show off his signature velocity, pitch movement and spin rate in front of American scouts.

Rodriguez averaged 96.2 miles per hour on his fastball, 84.9 miles per hour on his slider, 76.7 miles per hour on his curveball, 88.9 miles per hour on his splitter and 86.2 miles per hour on his changeup.

Cuban ace RHP Yariel Rodriguez (26) impressed yesterday in his first tryout with more than 15 MLB teams watching in the Dominican Republic.

After 6 months without active play, the speed, pitch movement and spin rate are there.

FB (9 pitches) 96.2 MPH / 2586 Spin
SL (6 pitches)… pic.twitter.com/7diQMoQQYL

— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) October 11, 2023

It remains to be seen if teams are scouting Rodriguez as a starting pitcher or reliever, as he came up as a starter in the Cuban National Series before coming out of the bullpen in Japan.

Rodriguez went 31-26 with a 3.30 ERA across six seasons in CNS, compared to 10-10 with a 3.03 ERA over the course of three years in NPB.

As a starter for Team Cuba in the World Baseball Classic in March, Rodriguez allowed just two earned runs with 10 strikeouts in 7.1 innings of work. Rodriguez did walk six batters and hit two more, though.

Rodriguez is being represented by agent Edgar Mercedes, who has previously negotiated contracts for Cuban stars Luis Robert Jr. and Yoenis Cespedes. Scouts have reportedly told Romero that Rodriguez could net a five-year deal in the range of $50 million to $70 million.

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