 Rodríguez made his professional debut in 1989 at the age of 17 as catcher for the Gastonia Rangers of the South Atlantic League . In his first game , he had three hits in three at @-@ bats ( 3 @-@ for @-@ 3 ) against Spartanburg . Playing in the Florida State League in 1990 , Rodríguez was selected the best catcher in the league and named to the All @-@ Star team . He placed 15th in the league in batting at .287 , and led his team in runs batted in , with 55 . He also played in the Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League ( LBPPR ) over the offseason . 
