'Fish Net Pair of Big League Infielders
March 29, 2016 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Bridgeport Bluefish News Release
(Bridgeport, Conn.) - The Bridgeport Bluefish today announced the signings of infielders Luis RodrÃguez and Luis Hernández.
"It's great to have two guys with such extensive big league experience as anchors in our infield this season," says Bluefish Manager Luis Rodriguez. "RodrÃguez was a tremendous asset to our team during his time with us last year, being solid both at the plate and in the field. Hernández has put up some great numbers in his career as well, so we're excited to have them both in our clubhouse."
Luis RodrÃguez returns to Bridgeport for his 19th season of professional baseball and second in the Atlantic League. Last year, the former Major Leaguer appeared in 59 games for Bridgeport, collecting a .305 batting average with 19 RBI and 21 runs scored. On July 2nd, his contract was purchased by Oaxaca of the Mexican League, where he finished out the 2015 campaign. In Mexico, he hit an impressive .341 with three home runs, 16 RBI and 20 runs scored in 35 games. During the offseason, he played 58 regular season games with Magallanes of the Venezuelan Winter League, where he collected a .318 batting average with one home run, 25 RBI and 23 runs scored. He helped lead his team to the championship round of the playoffs, and in 17 post-season games he hit one home run, drove in 12 runs and scored eight times. The 35-year-old has spent six seasons in the big leagues, making his Major League debut with the Minnesota Twins in 2005 and batting .269 in 79 games as a rookie. He played two more years for the Twins before joining the San Diego Padres in 2008. After two campaigns with the Padres, the switch-hitter made his final stop in the Majors in 2010 with the Seattle Mariners. Over the course of 407 Major League games, he owns a .238 batting average with 60 extra-base hits, 80 RBI and 100 runs scored, while holding a .977 and .985 fielding percentage at shortstop and second base, respectively. RodrÃguez began his professional career with in 1998 after being signed as an undrafted free agent by the Minnesota Twins organization. In 1,265 minor league games, he has compiled a .278 batting average with 64 home runs, 241 doubles, 526 RBI and 621 runs scored.
Luis Hernández comes to Bridgeport for his first season in the Atlantic League and 14th of professional baseball. Last year, the switch hitter played 67 games with Wichita of the independent American Association, where he collected a .255 batting average with 37 RBI and 24 runs scored, before having his contract purchased by the Los Angeles Angels and playing four games with Triple-A Salt Lake of the Pacific Coast League. The 31-year-old made his professional debut in 2002 after being signed by the Atlanta Braves as an undrafted free agent. He made his Major League debut with the Baltimore Orioles in 2007, where he spent two campaigns before being traded to the Kansas City Royals in 2009 and then the New York Mets in 2010. He also made a brief appearance with the Texas Rangers in 2012. In 122 career big league games, Hernández owns a .243 batting average with three home runs, 20 RBI, and 22 runs scored. In 1,211 career minor league games, Luis owns a .253 batting average with 33 home runs, 451 RBI, 488 runs scored, and 72 stolen bases.
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