JamesRodriquez

Madison on Rodriquez: “James has improved his fastball command. He seems to be a much more mature pitcher than he was at this time last year. He could be a guy in our rotation before the year is over.”

2002: Earned first career start in the Texas A&M Aggie Baseball Classic in UK’s 9-8 setback to Washington State (2/25)… Threw five innings and gave up four runs while recording his first collegiate strikeout against the Cougars of Washington State(2/25)… Made Southeastern Conference debut in relief duties in the Cats’ 12-2 setback to No. 15 Ole Miss (3/31)… Made his first start at home in a no-decision outing vs. Marshall (4/9)… Pitched an inning of scoreless relief and struck out one in the Cats’ 19-7 blowout win over the Vanderbilt Commodores (5/11)… Tossed 13.1 innings as a freshman… Fanned eight batters and walked three in eight appearances on the mound.

High School: 2000 Lexington-Herald Leader All-State Team at Bourbon County… Holds Bourbon County record of most homeruns in a game (3) and single-season batting average (.420)… Also holds the single-season homerun record of 10 set as a senior… Played in the East-West All-Star Game in 2000 and 2001.

Personal: Full name is James Daniel Rodriquez… Born Sept. 3, 1982… Parents are Susan and Paul Smith… Has four siblings: Amy Eades, David Rodriquez, P.J. Gambrel and Andrew Gambrel… Lists winning the state championship in football at Bourbon County as his highlight in athletic career… Chose Kentucky because of the tradition and coaches in the program.