Mark Rodrigues could watch a 10-story Tsunami rise above Kalapaki Bay and he’d just look up, shrug, and say rather plainly, “This doesn’t look good.” The Los Medanos College pitcher seemed hardly enthused by his 5-0 start this season, his
Mark Rodrigues could watch a 10-story Tsunami rise above Kalapaki Bay and he’d just look up, shrug, and say rather plainly, “This doesn’t look good.”
The Los Medanos College pitcher seemed hardly enthused by his 5-0 start this season, his 1.55 ERA and the nine inning shutout he pitched in a recent win. He didn’t seem to care that he allowed only one walk in that game, three walks in the last two games, or that he recorded 18 strikeouts in 17 innings.
So what’s to expect? If the former Kaua’i Red Raider standout can be “matter-of-fact” about his Tsunami-like numbers, you’d have to figure he’d just as much shrug off an impending natural disaster.
But put Rodrigues’ baseball career into perspective: He’s a KIF Player of the Year who went 3-0 his senior season with a 1.65 ERA (and a .368 batting average), he’s a 2001 Nissan Hall of Honor selection for baseball and volleyball and an ex-member of the Hawaiian All Stars team. For the lefty who’s put more gas in his fast ball (which is now up to 89 mph) since scouts from the Cincinnati Reds and Kansas City Royals first licked their lips, it’s no surprise a couple decisive wins in Pittsburgh, California, isn’t much different from the norm.
“The kid can play,” said former UCLA coach Glenn Mickens, who often helps Kaua’i ball players find futures in college and beyond. “I’m just happy he went to college before taking that pro offer.”
The Montreal Expos picked Rodrigues in the 29th round of the 2001 Major League Baseball amateur draft, and since he’s too young for a paycheck and could use the development, he decided to study under former Waimea coach Carl Fraticelli at Los Medanos. But he wasn’t forgotten.
“How’s that arm feel, Mark?” an Expos scout asked Rodrigues following a recent outing.
“It feels fine,” said Rodrigues, and that’s all the scout needed to hear before he packed up his notebook and headed back to regional headquarters.
“Keep the arm on ice, and there’s no reason you can’t make a run at the big-time.” That’s been Rodrigues’ rather frank mentality. But for now, conditioning and education are his primary focus.
“Making it to the big leagues is obviously my goal,” said Rodrigues. “But now that I’m in college I know I have options if baseball doesn’t go the way I want it to.”
Rodrigues will major in Physical Education and hopes to one day teach at Kaua’i and coach baseball. But before that, Rodrigues wants a shot at playing in front of America.
“I want to start a game with a crowd all around me,” said Rodrigues, his tone increasing in zest. “Baseball doesn’t get the crowds in high school and college like the big leagues do. I want to be on the mound with everyone’s eyes on me, not knowing who I am or what I can do.”
