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Friday, August 13, 2021

Rod Ehrhard didn't mind position switches, as long as he got to play; Saw four pro seasons, made high-A


Rod Ehrhard played primarily at catcher at short-season Oneonta in 1988, but he still filled in other places, including at DH and in the outfield, The Binghamton Press and Sun-Bulletin wrote.

Ehrhard saw the different roles as simply a means to fulfilling his main goal, playing, The Press and Sun-Bulletin wrote.

"I really don't mind switching on defense," Ehrhard told The Press and Sun-Bulletin that August. "I just want to play every day and I will go where the skipper says. I don't think it bothers my hitting."

That season marked Ehrhard's second in the pros. He went on to see time in two more, largely at catcher. He topped out at high-A.

Ehrhard's career began in 1987, taken by the Yankees in the 41st round of the draft out of the University of Tampa.

Ehrhard started with the Yankees in 1987 at short-season Oneonta. He hit .250 in 33 games. He also split time between catcher and outfield.

Ehrhard played mostly in the outfield in college, but the Yankees switched him to catching. He made single-A Fort Lauderdale to start 1988, but broke a bone in his wrist early on an unexpected pitch and lost up to two months, The Tampa Bay Times wrote.

"We got crossed up," Ehrhard told The Times after the injury. "I guess it's better it happened now than at the end of the year, when we're in the thick of things."

Ehrhard returned, but with Oneonta. He saw 67 games at Oneonta, to his three at Fort Lauderdale. He hit .238. He doubled in an August game.

He moved to single-A Prince William for 1989. He went 2 for 4, with a home run in an April game, then a two-run home run in an August game.

Ehrhard retuned to Fort Lauderdale for 1990. He hit a home run in a July win. Overall, he hit .197 in 78 games to end his career.

1990 Minor League Tally 
Players/Coaches Featured:3,715
Made the Majors:1,261-33.9%
Never Made Majors:2,454-66.1%
5+ Seasons in the Majors:522
10+ Seasons in the Minors:309

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