Urso looks for consistency from freshman hurler

Coach says Rodriquez is working on command

Danny Rodriguez looks to improve the consistency of his fastball this season. Photo by Daniel Ramos. 

TAMPA, Fla. – Pitcher Danny Rodriguez has a great outlook but still has to take command of his full potential – and his fastball.

His coach Joe Urso believes if this happens, he’s going to be a solid contributor for the University of Tampa Spartans.

“He’s been a pleasure to have, obviously personality wise,” Urso said, head coach of the Spartans. “He’s got a really good changeup and curveball but, you know, we’ve got to get the command of that fastball for him to have a major role for us.”

The right handed reliever always wants to improve and brings that mentality with him to every game and practice.

“I just have to try to get better every day that I’m out here,” he said. “Go there and get to work.”

Overcoming adversity is in every athlete’s story; it is no different for Rodriguez.

“As a pitcher, you always want to just throw strikes and sometimes you’re not always going to be able to do that,” he said. “So long as you keep working, it should all work out.”

While trying to improve his abilities and grow as an athlete, the freshman pitcher finds himself in the perfect environment.

Rodriguez said the University of Tampa has excellent facilities and resources for their athletes, as well as a good culture around the baseball team. They’ve won five national Division II championships since 2006, all under Urso.

“It’s amazing coming out here everyday,” Rodriguez said. “We have one of the best facilities and one of the best coaches in D2 baseball.”

Rodriguez has had a taste of success before too. He won back-to-back state titles at Venice (Fla.) High School. On a personal level, the goal is to get better every day, but the closer made it clear that the team wants to win the national championship every year.

Coach Urso shares that same sentiment. “The team is expected to try for that every year,” he said. “The expectation is something that they already understand before they get here because our program is so famous.”

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Posted: Mar 21 2023 8:55 pm
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