Carlos Rodon

Carlos Antonio Rodón was born in Miami, Florida, in 1992. Rodón comes from a family with a rich Cuban heritage, evident in his Cuban-American mother and a father who immigrated from Cuba as a five-year-old child in 1967. A change of scenery found the family relocating to Holly Springs, North Carolina, when Rodón was still young.

Rodón’s exceptional talent on the mound became evident during his high school years at Holly Springs High School. Standout performances included a no-hitter, four shut-outs, and two one-hitters during his junior year in 2010. His senior year performance maintained his reputation as a formidable pitcher, taking his team to a state championship with an impressive 11–0 record.

Despite being chosen by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2011 Major League Baseball draft, Rodón turned down the offer to attend North Carolina State University. At NC State, Rodón, set new records on the baseball diamond. He led the Atlantic Coast Conference in ERA, innings pitched, complete games, and opponent’s batting average, earning him the title of Freshman Pitcher of the Year by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.

In 2013, Rodón was part of the team that represented NC State at their first College World Series since 1968. In his junior year, he broke the University’s record for career strikeouts. Rodón shone on Team USA during his summer breaks, allowing only three earned runs over two seasons and contributing 42 strikeouts.

Carlos Rodón was selected as the third overall pick in the 2014 Major League Baseball draft, by the Chicago White Sox. He made his professional debut that year and joined the White Sox’ major league roster in 2015. From then on, Rodón’s professional baseball career has had its share of ups and downs, influenced by injuries and recovery periods.

His breakdown season was in 2021. In April of that year, Rodón achieved the 20th no-hitter in White Sox history – a feat considered one of the many high points of his career. His skill led him to be named an All-Star that season, and he finished the regular season with a 13–5 record, a 2.37 ERA, and 185 strikeouts over 132+2⁄3 innings. Despite a disappointing postseason performance, Rodón secured a fifth place in the voting for the AL Cy Young Award—an award given to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball.

Opting out of his contract after one season with the San Francisco Giants, Rodón signed a two-year contract containing an opt-out clause after the first season, showcasing exciting performances in the 2022 season, breaking several records, and earning himself a second All-Star recognition.

Following a strong season, Rodón signed a lucrative six-year contract with the New York Yankees, hoping to continue his successful career in New York. However, injuries marred his inaugural season with the Yankees, leading him to an early hiatus from the field.

Away from the diamond, Rodón is a dedicated family man. He married his wife, Ashley, in January of 2018, and together they have a daughter and two sons.