Chicago Cubs Player Profile: Hector Rondon

Hector Luis Rondon is from Guatire, Miranda, Venezuela. He was born February 6, 1988. He is married to Keilin Rondon and has a son, Ian Jose Rondon, born in 2014, and a young daughter. His mother's name is Lisse, according to this article by the Tribune's David Haugh.

Hector Rondón signed as an international free agent with the Cleveland Indians. He had Tommy John surgery in 2010 and fractured his elbow in 2011. He was a Rule 5 pick of the Cubs, who drafted him from the Cleveland Indians' roster in 2012. He debuted in the Major Leagues the following year, on April 3, 2013.

Rondon is currently the Cubs' closer. He is 6-3, throws righthanded, and has a career record of 12 wins and 10 losses, with 70 saves. He wears number 56. He became a closing pitcher in May 2014, was briefly removed from that position during the 2015 season, regained it and has pitched well since.

Here's what his Major-League career looks like, in a  nutshell:

Fangraphs data here, if you prefer it.

In 2015, Rondon became just the second pitcher in club history to save 30 games with a 1.67 ERA or lower (Bruce Sutter -- 37, 1.34 in 1977 was the other). His 1.40 ERA, 28 strikeouts and just two walks in limited work this season gives credence to the idea that Rondon is one of the premier closers in the game.

Here's a nice article with a scouting report from Dennis Manoloff of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, dating from 2009. His mentor, Indians scout Henri Centeno, unfortunately perished in an auto accident in 2009 and was unable to see his protege flourish.

But flourish is exactly what Hector Rondon has done so far, and he is on pace for another 30-save season with the Chicago Cubs.