Former Pac-12 Standout Signs with Aviators
February 10, 2015 - Frontier League (FL)
Rockford Aviators News Release
LOVES PARK, Ill. - The Rockford Aviators have announced the signing of rookie first baseman, Devon Rodriguez, from the University of California, Berkeley.
Rodriguez finished third in the Pac-12 Conference last season in home runs with seven and earned 1st Team All-Conference honors after finishing the season with a .284 batting average with six doubles. He also lead the Golden Bears with 34 RBIs.
It doesn't take long for Rodriguez to make an impact on a team. When he was just a sophomore at Cal, he was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2011 NCAA Houston Regional.
"Devon is a kid that we look for to come in and be a player right away," said Aviators Manager, James Frisbie. "He will share time at first base with Kenny [Bryant] and DH for us, but he can also play in the outfield."
Not only did Rodriguez earn All-Conference honors, but he proved that he can come through in the clutch. He led the Golden Bears with eight multiple-RBI games and was 22-for-59 (.373) with runners in scoring position in 2014.
"[Rodriguez] has a lot of pop as a left-handed hitter at the plate," said Frisbie. "He's a great young signing as a rookie for us."
Rodriguez will join a long list of current Aviators players who have ties to the Southern California area and that is one reason why Frisbie wanted him to be a part of the 2015 roster.
"I think he will fit into the clubhouse just fine," said Frisbie. "We have a lot of guys from Southern California on our squad already so he will fit perfectly into that group dynamic."
The Aviators begin their 2015 campaign on May 15 on the road against the Gateway Grizzlies. Opening Day at Aviators Stadium will be May 19 as the Aviators host the Traverse City Beach Bums.
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Frontier League Stories from February 10, 2015
- Former Pac-12 Standout Signs with Aviators - Rockford Aviators
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