Roger Bernadina

Career

Washington Nationals

Bernadina was signed at age 17 by the then-Montreal Expos as an undrafted free agent in 2001.

Bernadina was called up to the major leagues the first time on June 28, 2008 to replace the injured Lastings Milledge. His major league debut came the next day, and, batting leadoff, he hit a single to right field in his first major league at bat.

Bernadina started 2009 in Triple-A, but he was called up on April 15. After appearing in two games as a defensive replacement, he started his first game of the season on April 18. In the eighth inning, he "made a spectacular catch against the wall" against the Florida Marlins and fractured his right ankle, although he earned the nickname "The Shark." Bernadina was placed on the 15-day disabled list and later transferred to the 60-day disabled list. His only action the rest of the season was playing in two games for the Gulf Coast League Nationals.

After shuttling between Triple-A Syracuse and Washington several times in April 2010, Bernadina was recalled on April 28 and remained with the team the rest on the season, playing all three outfield positions. On May 12, Bernadina hit his first and second MLB home runs against the New York Mets. The second came in the ninth inning off closerFrancisco Rodriguez, giving the Nationals the lead in a game they would ultimately win. He also made a remarkable leaping catch in right field that likely robbed Met Jeff Francoeur of a bases-clearing triple. Bernadina finished the season, which would be his career high with 134 games played, with a .246 batting average, 11 home runs, and 16 stolen bases.

Bernadina's playing time lessened in 2011, and he shifted to primarily playing in center field. He finished the season with a similar batting line, hitting .243 with 7 home runs and 17 stolen bases.

2012 was Bernadina’s best offensive season in MLB. He compiled a slash line of .291/.372/.405 and made several highlight defensive plays, including a game-ending catch against the left-center field fence at Minute Maid Park on August 7. Bernadina made his only MLB postseason appearance in 2012, going 0–2 with two walks in four pinch hit appearances as the Nationals lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Division Series.

Bernadina's offensive production dropped off in 2013. On August 19, 2013, the Nationals released Bernadina to clear a roster spot for David DeJesus, who was acquired from the Chicago Cubs.

Philadelphia Phillies

On August 21, 2013, Bernadina signed a major league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. In 27 appearances for Philadelphia, he batted .187/.256/.347 with two home runs, five RBI, and one stolen base. On October 16, Bernadina was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs. He elected free agency the following day.

Cincinnati Reds

On January 31, 2014, Bernadina signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds that included a spring training invitation. After making the opening day roster, he was designated for assignment on May 3 but was called back up to the Reds on May 5 after an injury to Jay Bruce. Bernadina was designated for assignment again on June 21. On June 27, Bernadina refused assignment to the Reds' minor league system and became a free agent. He hit .153 in 44 games for the Reds.

Los Angeles Dodgers

On July 7, 2014, Bernadina signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was assigned to the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes, where he hit .246 in 23 games. He was called up to the Dodgers on September 6, 2014. He was used primarily as a pinch runner for the Dodgers but also had seven pinch hit at-bats. In his final MLB game on September 28, he hit a single and a home run, his only home run of the season. Bernadina was left off the Dodgers' postseason roster. He elected free agency after the 2014 season.

Colorado Rockies

On December 24, 2014, Bernadina signed a minor-league contract with the Colorado Rockies. He played the entire 2015 season with the Isotopes, now the Rockies' Triple-A affiliate. Bernadina led the team with 62 runs batted in, 20 stolen bases, 58 walks, and tied for the lead with 20 home runs and 62 runs while also being the team's oldest position player. He elected free agency on November 6.

New York Mets

On February 8, 2016, Bernadina signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets organization. In 114 games for the Triple–A Las Vegas 51s, he batted .292/.376/.465 with 10 home runs, 55 runs batted in, and 20 stolen bases. Bernadina elected free agency following the season on November 7.

Kia Tigers

On November 24, 2016, Bernadina signed with the Kia Tigers of the KBO League. He had a .320 batting average, 27 home runs, 111 runs batted in, and 32 stolen bases in the 2017 season. He led the league in runs, was named a KBO All-Star, and earned a Golden Glove Award. He helped the Tigers win the Korean Series, hitting .529 with one home run five runs batted in during the postseason series. On December 1, 2017, Bernadina signed a one-year, $1.1 million contract with the Tigers. In 2018, he had .310 batting average, 20 home runs, and 70 runs batted in. He became a free agent after the 2018 season.

Lamigo Monkeys

On March 30, 2019, Bernadina signed with the Ishikawa Million Stars of the Baseball Challenge League. However, Bernadina left the Million Stars and signed with the Lamigo Monkeys of the Chinese Professional Baseball League on April 19. He debuted with the team on May 20 and posted a .256/.365/.378 slash line across 24 games before he was released by the team on June 30. Bernadina was hitless in his final 13 at-bats in Taiwan.

Algodoneros de Unión Laguna

On July 16, 2019, Bernadina signed with the Algodoneros de Unión Laguna of the Mexican League. He hit .336 with four home runs in 34 games with the team. He was released on February 6, 2020.

Quick Amersfoort

In August 2020, Bernadina signed with Quick Amersfoort in the Dutch Honkbal Hoofdklasse. He hit .286 in seven games in the regular season.

Curaçao Neptunus

Bernadina signed with Curaçao Neptunus in the Hoofdklasse for the 2021 season. In 150 games over three seasons with Neptunus, Bernadina hit .336 with 7 home runs, 110 runs batted in, and 24 stolen bases. On November 16, 2023, it was reported that Bernadina had left the club.

Hotsand Macerata Angels

On May 3, 2024, Bernadina signed with Hotsand Macerata Angels of the Italian Baseball League. In 22 games for the team, he hit .267/.416/.417 with two home runs and 12 RBI. He became a free agent following the season.

International career

Bernadina represented the Netherlands national baseball team at the 2013 World Baseball Classic and 2023 World Baseball Classic. He also played for the Dutch at several European Baseball Championships, Olympic qualifier tournaments, the 2019 WBSC Premier12, and Haarlem Baseball Week in 2022 and 2024.

References

References

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