IVAN “PUDGE” RODRIGUEZ GOES #1 – IN 1991 MWWL DRAFT

The Ft. Worth Panthers are pleased to announce the first overall selection in the 1991 MWWL draft – Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez C of Puerto Rico. Though he may be only 19 the Panther’s have had their eye on him for a while as one of their international scouts had been watching Rodriguez since he attended Lino Padron Rivera High School. “He showed leadership at 16 that I’d seen in few kids. He knew where he was going.”   As a Little League player, he moved from pitcher to catcher because his father, who was also his coach, thought he was throwing too hard and scaring opposing players with his pitches. In predraft workouts even veteran catcher Lance Parrish – the last remaining original Panther – gave his seal of approval. “He has very quick feet. He moves well behind the dish. He has cannon for an arm. I don’t think I threw that hard when I was his age. He makes solid contact with the bat nearly every time. He has a quiet confidence about him. If I had to pick my heir apparent I can’t think of anyone better.” A strong-armed catcher can have a pop time to second base in 1.85-1.9 seconds. During the workouts Pudge was consistently getting the ball down there in 1.80-1.85 seconds. Rodriguez will probably back up Parrish for a few years, but Parrish does turn 35 next year and if Pudge proves he can contribute with the bat then the transition from mentor to prodigy may be a lot quicker than anticipated. The Ft. Worth fans should be pleased for years to come with a new gunslinger behind the plate.

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