Former Diablo Homers In First Major League At Bat

Three years ago, Eddy Rodriguez was a catcher forthe El Paso Diablos. Yesterday, he made history homering in his first big-league at bat. Rodriguez, now a member of the San Diego Padres,  teed off on a Johnny Cueto slider for his first career homer as a major leaguer. Rodriguez was originally drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in 2006, but was released by them two years later and then picked up by the Diablos. Butch Henry, then Diablos manager, knew Rodriguez had big league ability behind the plate when he signed him. For years, the knock on the Diablos and other Independent teams is that you will never see their players get to the big leagues. Don't tell that to Eddy Rodriguez.