“Pudge” Rodriguez To Represent Rangers At MLB Draft

When Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez decided that he was ready to call it a career this spring, he naturally chose to retire as a Ranger. Since then, we’ve been told that Rodriguez would continue to have a close relationship with the team that drafted him, perhaps even in the form of a front office job.

But his first act as a retired Ranger with an ongoing relationship with the team will be representing the two-time defending AL Champs at next month’s amateur draft.

Each of the 32 teams will send a ceremonial representative to MLB Network Studios for the draft on June 4, which (of course) will air on MLB Network. According to the Dallas Morning News’ Gerry Fraley, Pudge will announce the Rangers’ pick in Compensation Round A.

Texas received extra, compensatory picks for veteran pitchers CJ Wilson and Darren Oliver, who departed last offseason in free agency.