Pirates All 40: Endy Rodríguez Returns in 2025

This is one in a series of stories breaking down members of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 40-man roster.

It was just over a year ago when it was learned that Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Endy Rodríguez would need Tommy John surgery. While he appeared in a handful of minor-league games at the end of the season, Rodríguez didn’t play in a game for the Pirates at any point in 2024.

At the time of his injury, Rodríguez had just finished his rookie season after appearing in 57 games with the Pirates in 2023. Rodríguez’s statistics during his first stint in the big leagues weren’t earth-shattering. He finished with a .220/.284/.328 batting line with seven doubles, two triples, three home runs and 13 RBIs.

While his offense left some to be desired, Rodríguez provided the Pirates with quality defense behind the plate. The rookie catcher was responsible for three defensive runs saved in 52 games and threw out 30% of runners attempting to steal a base.

Rodríguez entered the 2023 season as not only one of the Pirates’ top prospects but one of the better prospects in baseball. According to MLB Pipeline, Rodríguez was the Pirates second-best prospect and was No. 55 in all of baseball.

Ever since joining the Pirates system, Rodríguez had been one of the top minor-league performers. He spent the 2021 season in Bradenton where he hit .294 with an .892 OPS, 46 extra-base hits and 73 RBIs in 98 games.

After a strong showing at High-A Greensboro in 2022, Rodríguez was promoted to Double-A Altoona and exploded. In 31 games, he hit a whopping .356 with a 1.120, 14 doubles, eight home runs and 32 RBIs in 21 games.

A solid performance with Triple-A Indianapolis led to his promotion to the Major Leagues in 2023, and the 24-year-old looks primed to impact the Pirates again in 2025.

But he does so with a different looking catcher’s room than the one he was part of in 2023. Joey Bart, after he was acquired from the San Francisco Giants at the beginning of the year, emerged as one of the Pirates’ better players. 2021 top pick Henry Davis is also vying for playing time behind the plate.

Regardless of his role, Rodríguez’s bubbly personality will be welcomed back to the clubhouse and the Pirates are hoping his minor-league performance will translate in his second big-league season.

Background

• Rodríguez was signed as an amateur free agent by the New York Mets out of the Dominican Republic in 2018.
• The Pirates acquired him from the Mets in a three-team trade that sent right-hander Joe Musgrove to the San Diego Padres. The Pirates also acquired closer David Bednar from the Padres in that deal.
• In addition to being the Pirates’ No. 2 prospect and baseball’s No. 55, Rodríguez was ranked as the sixth-best catching prospect entering the 2023 season. He was one spot ahead of teammate Henry Davis.
• Career highlight: Rodríguez went 3 for 4 with a home run and a pair of runs scored against the Milwaukee Brewers on Aug. 6, 2023. His home run was the second of his career.
• Contract status: Rodríguez is pre-arbitration eligible.