CLEBURNE, Texas (Apr. 8, 2019) – The Cleburne Railroaders announced Monday the signing of left-handed pitcher Eudis Idrogo (pronounced YOU-diss ih-DROE-go). 

 

The 23-year old Idrogo was released by the Detroit Tigers organization on March 26 after seven seasons in their minor league system. Idrogo split the 2018 season between Class-A West Michigan and High-A Lakeland, combining for a 6-5 record and 3.09 ERA in 105.0 innings. Over the winter, the native of Anzoategui, Venezuela pitched for La Guaira in the Venezuelan Winter League, compiling an impressive 1.82 ERA in 24.2 innings while allowing only 14 hits.

 

“All you have to do is look at the numbers for Eudis to see that this kid really knows how to pitch,” manager Brent Clevlen said. “He succeeded at every level in the Tigers system, and pitched very well this past offseason in a strong winter league. Left-handed pitching continues to be a big priority for us, and Eudis gives us some more quality depth in that area.”

 

Idrogo was signed by the Tigers as a 16-year old international free agent in 2012, and made his professional debut that same year with Detroit’s Venezuela Summer League team. The left-hander dominated that level over the course of three seasons, forging a combined 13-5 record and 2.03 ERA in 37 games, 20 of which were starts. Idrogo struck out 111 while walking only 36 and allowing 114 hits in 133.0 innings.

 

The Tigers promoted Idrogo twice in short order following his impressive numbers in Venezuela. He started the year in the Gulf Coast League, again posting a 2.03 ERA in eight starts before he was elevated to Low Class-A Connecticut to finish the 2015 season. After two good starts with Connecticut, the Tigers promoted Idrogo again to Class-A West Michigan to begin the 2016 campaign.

 

Idrogo spent parts of 2016, 2017 and 2018 with West Michigan, posting dramatically improved numbers with each passing season. After a 4.29 ERA in his first tour with the White Caps, the 6’1, 200-pounder sliced that number to 3.01 the following year in 23 starts. He was even better in 2018, starting the season with a miniscule 0.49 ERA through six starts before earning another promotion to Lakeland. At the time of his promotion, Idrogo’s ERA was the lowest in all of Minor League Baseball among qualified pitchers.

 

For his career, Idrogo owns strong numbers across the board, with a 37-25 record and 2.81 ERA in 138 games. Over 534.2 innings, he has allowed 484 hits (8.1 per nine innings), while racking up 425 strikeouts to 128 walks (3.3:1 ratio).

 

The signing gives the Railroaders a total of 27 players under contract for the 2019 season. American Association clubs may carry up to 28 players during Spring Training, which opens on May 4.

 

The 3rd season of Railroaders baseball and the club’s pursuit of its first division title kicks off with a four-game home series against the Sioux Falls Canaries, beginning on Thursday, May 16. For information on partnerships, season tickets, group outings, and party packages, call the Railroaders main office at (817) 945-8705, or visit the Railroaders official website at www.railroaderbaseball.com.