The Boston Red Sox drafted Frank Rodriguez out of high school with their 2nd round pick in the 1990 amateur draft, but he elected to go to junior college in 1991. Rodriguez led the JUCO ranks in home runs (26) and pitching strikeouts (139), and was named MVP of the Junior College World Series, when Howard College beat Manatee Community College in the title game. The Red Sox signed him nine hours before they would lose his rights and he would enter the 1991 amateur draft. Boston promised to let him start his career as a shortstop.

Rodriguez's other 1991 major career highlights include being named college player of the year by Baseball America; being the Texas state regional tournament MVP; being named MVP of Howard College's baseball team; receiving an invitation for the Team USA Pre-Olympic tryouts; establishing new records for victories and strikeouts in a single season; establishing new records for home runs and RBI's at Howard College; leading the nation in homers with 26 and RBI's with 90; being nominated for the Dick Howser Trophy.

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