Marlins sign 1B Rodriguez to Minors pact

January 18th, 2018

MIAMI -- , a power-hitting first baseman and outfielder, has signed a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training. 
The 28-year-old played for Double-A Chattanooga in 2017, batting .309, which placed him second to Marlins prospect for the Southern League batting title.
Rodriguez is a power-hitting threat, belting 21 home runs in 119 games for Chattanooga. A native of Puerto Rico, he provides right-handed hitting depth, and will compete for a roster spot in Spring Training.
Rodriguez and Lee battled it out for the Southern League batting title in 2017. Both finished at .309, with Lee technically getting the edge by a percentage point in a race that went down to the final at-bat.
The two will now be in Spring Training competing for positions on the Marlins.
Lee was acquired last June from the Rays as part of the trade, joining Double-A Jacksonville for the remainder of the season.
Lee is already on the 40-man roster, while Rodriguez will try to fight his way onto the Marlins' roster in Spring Training.
Listed at 6-foot-2, 250-pounds, Rodriguez was a 17th round Draft pick of the Cardinals in 2009.
In nine Minor League seasons, he has a career slash line of .273/.368/.450 with 119 home runs and 486 RBIs in 913 games.
In 2017, Rodriguez was in the Twins' system, and played 119 games at Double-A and five for Triple-A Rochester, adding one additional home run at that level.