NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt sophomore CJ Rodriguez was selected 158th overall in the fifth round of the Major League Baseball Draft by the Oakland Athletics on Monday afternoon.
Nashville ➡️ Oakland 🔥@Cjrod007 to the @Athletics.#VandyBoys | #MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/gqe3HhM8kw
— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) July 12, 2021
Rodriguez is the fourth Vanderbilt player to be taken in the 2021 MLB Draft, joining teammates Jack Leiter, Kumar Rocker and Luke Murphy.
A strong talent behind the plate, Rodriguez anchored the Vanderbilt pitching staff during his sophomore campaign. The Commodore catcher appeared in 58 games, making 52 starts as the team’s primary backstop.
Rodriguez posted an on-base percentage of .393 to rank third on the team, while registering 36 walks to only 19 strikeouts. He thew out 14 would-be base stealers, while surrendering just 12 stolen bases on the season.
Day two of the MLB Draft continues, and will conclude with Round 10. Tomorrow will mark the third and final day of the draft, including rounds 11-20.
