Roger Bernadina debuts in CPBL

After having signed a contract with the Lamigo Monkeys, it took Roger Bernadina a while to make the flagship team. But eventually, the Curaçao born outfielder made his debut with the team today.

After the Monkeys signed Bernadina to a contract on April 18, he was stored with their farm team as CPBL teams are allowed to have three foreigners on their roster and Bernadina was the fourth.

To make his call up possible, the Monkeys needed to free a spot on their roster. In this case they released Zeke Spruill. The American pitcher did not leave a good impression so far with a 6.82 ERA. This after a solid season in 2018 when he posted a 2.56 ERA and a WHIP of 1.14. With his 2018 numbers, it wasn’t a surprise the Monkeys re-signed him.

With giving Spruill his dismissal, a roster spot for Bernadina was freed. In today’s win vs the Chinatrust Brothers, went 1 for 4 in five plate appearances as he also drew a walk and stole one base. In the top of the fifth inning, Roger hit a bloop single to left field.

In the past month, Roger appeared in nine games with the farm team of the Lamigo Monkeys. In those nine games, he slashed .257/.357/.514 in 42 plate appearances. He drove in eleven runs, scored six times and struck out eleven times. Roger collected nine hits of which three doubles and two home runs.

Before he signed with the Lamigo Monkeys, Roger had signed a deal with the independent Japanese team Ishikawa Million Stars of the BC League. After spending two seasons with the Kia Tigers of the KBO, Roger was forced to look for another club as the Tigers did not offer him a new contract.