“For me, every opportunity is a commitment. I will give my best in whatever role they put me in, just as I have been working,” said right-handed pitcher Luis Rodriguez, who plays for the Houston Astros.
Born on December 29, 2003, the native of Cabudare, Lara state, this year combining Rookie and Class A, has a record of 3-1 and 2.47 ERA in 47.1 innings during 16 games (four as a starter) with 52 strikeouts, apart from one save. It should be noted that he began his season in the minors with the Chicago White Sox, before being traded to the Siderals.
Overall, after two years in the minors, he has a record of 5-2 and 291 ERA in 31 matches and 88.1 innings with 97 anesthetized. This prospect was contacted via email:
– Did the change of organization affect you emotionally?
– I was asleep in Arizona when I received the news via a phone call from Grant Flick. At first I didn’t understand what was happening, but when I woke up I said to myself “Hahaha! This change for Corey Julks.” Wow! It made me excited at the same time as I thought about the commitment and responsibility, assuming the news as a new challenge in my life and career. I was really pleased to receive the news that from that moment on I would be a star player.
– How do you feel about the Houston organization?
– It’s like being at home, really, with a great commitment to the team to give 100% every day. It’s an organization that fills you with energy and desire, I’m very grateful to God and to Astros for giving me the opportunity to belong to this family.
– What have you improved in your pitching repertoire since the change?
– I have been working guided by pitching coaches to improve my techniques, strengthening others. I have learned new pitches and have felt very comfortable with them.
– Do you want to be a starter, middle reliever, set-up pitcher or closer?
– For me, every opportunity is a commitment. I will give my best in whatever role I am given, just as I have been working.
– How soon do you see yourself being part of the big team?
– Wow! Three years ago I was working hard, as I always attended events to show myself as an infielder, but the pandemic came and with it the events stopped. However, I continued training as I could, after the pandemic when I went to an event I was informed that it would be very difficult to sign as an infielder.
– This mishap is very worrying…
– Sure, but the agents I had at that time with Elite Atlets asked me if I was willing to pitch and I said yes without hesitation. The hard work began, the adaptation was difficult, but I continued working and attending presentations until the day arrived. I was at an event in the city of Medellin, Colombia, and Mr. Marcos Pady, after opening the event by pitching, called me and shook my hand saying: Welcome to the Chicago White Sox!
– First club that believed in you….
– It is an organization that I will be grateful to all my life for giving me the opportunity to fulfill my dream. Then I traveled to the Dominican Republic and played in that league last year. This 2024 I returned to the Dominican Republic for a training process, until in May I was called to play in the Rookie League in Arizona, where I pitched in two games and that was when I received the news of the transfer to Houston. I moved to Florida where I pitched 29.2 innings. At the end of the league just a few days ago, I was notified that I had to move to North Carolina to play in the middle class A league, in which I recently debuted by pitching 2.1 innings.
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– You have to have a lot of will and courage….
– I am a person of faith who also has a life premise: the one who gives up loses. That is why I fight to improve myself every day as an athlete, as a son, as a brother, as a citizen, and ultimately as a human being. I can only say that God’s timing is perfect. Only God knows when I will achieve my dream of playing in the majors, but in the meantime I will continue fighting to achieve my dream.
– Will you be pitching with Sharks this winter?
– For me, this whole process has been about adapting to constant changes. To this day, I don’t know if I can do it, it doesn’t depend on me. What does depend on me is to keep working and that’s what I will do.
