Rudy Arias
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- Title:
- Assistant Catching Coach
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- Phone:
- 305-237-0325
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- Email:
- rarias2@mdc.edu
Rudy Arias was hired in July of 2019 as MDC’s catching coach. He is also MDC’s first-base coach.
In his first three seasons at MDC, Arias helped two of his catchers – Nick Pitelli and Juan Gonzalez – reach the next level. Gonzalez was drafted in the 19th round by the Toronto Blue Jays, and Pitelli is playing for FIU.
Arias starred as a catcher in his playing days at Miami High and also at Miami Dade College. In fact, he was the Seattle Mariners’ first-round pick in 1977, getting selected No. 25 overall. He had a three-year career in the low minors, but he was slowed somewhat by a broken jaw, which he suffered when he got hit with a pitch.
As a coach, he served as a bullpen catcher for the Marlins in 1993 and 1994. He was also the bullpen catcher for the New York Yankees when they won the World Series in 1996.
From there, Arias served as the Baltimore Orioles’ bullpen catcher from 1997 to 2007. In 2010, Arias was re-hired by the Orioles as a bullpen catcher, and he served on manager Buck Showalter’s staff until 2015. In 2016, he was the catching coach for a pro team in Taiwan.
He was inducted into Miami High’s Hall of Fame in 2012.
Born in Santa Clara, Cuba, Arias became a U.S. citizen in March of 2012.
Arias comes from a rich baseball family. His father, also known as Rudy Arias, was a left-handed pitcher who made it to the major leagues in 1959, going 2-0 with a 4.09 ERA in 34 relief appearances. He played eight more years of pro ball but never got back to the majors.
In addition, Arias’ son, Alex, played baseball for Howard University. Like his father, he played catcher.
Arias is married to Hilda, and they have two sons: Alex and Luis.