Having four members of the same family playing on the same team is a rare occurrence, but the oddity is happening for the 2023 season of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School baseball team. Brothers Christian Rodriguez (10) and Jonathan Rodriguez (10) and brothers Alex Rodriguez (13) and Angel Rodriguez (2) have been helping the MSD baseball team win for years. The Rodriguez family has a player in each of the four grade levels, and they all stand out in their own ways.

The oldest of the four, senior Christian Rodriguez, has been a staple for coach Todd Fitz-Gerald and his team since his freshman year.

“In a one game, must-win scenario, [C. Rodriguez] is our guy, he’s a difference maker on the mound,” Fitz-Gerald said.

His ability to pitch the big, must win games has been key for the MSD pitching staff.

C. Rodriguez is a tall projectable pitcher who can throw the ball up to 97 miles per hour with his fastball, a velocity carried by pitchers that many professional and college coaches searched for and drafted from past MSD baseball teams.

The junior of the group, center fielder Alex “A-Rod” Rodriguez, plays centerfield for the Eagles. He is going into his junior season and hopes to start to get more consistent playing time this season. A. Rodriguez looks to find the success he’s had in travel baseball during the summer and translate it to his new opportunity at MSD.

A. Rodriguez, who is committed to play college ball at the University of Central Florida, looks forward to representing Douglas in the future playing ball at UCF.

“In the next couple of years I hope to see myself playing for UCF and finding success at that level. It’s a big step from where I’m at now, but I’m confident I can do it,” A. Rodriguez said.

Playing D1 level college baseball isn’t an easy task, but players from this family know that they have the potential to excel at the high levels.

The sophomore of the group is Jonathan Rodriguez. He profiles as a pitcher, outfielder and infielder. His ability to play multiple positions gives him value on the field and his pitching skills have developed since his freshman year. After hard work during the offseason, he is coming into this year as an improved player. He is now topping 84 miles per hour as well as an improved changeup that has more drop.

The newest addition to the MSD baseball team from the Rodriguez family is freshman Angel Rodriguez. He has found success as a hitter and a pitcher for the junior varsity team. He plays outfield and has a strong and accurate throwing arm that will continue to grow stronger as he ages.

As the youngest out of the four Rodriguez brothers, he has the most room to develop. The MSD baseball program hopes they can get the same level of production from him as the rest of the established players in his family. With the accomplishments that the older players have made, coaches are excited to see A. Rodriguez reach his potential on the diamond.

These four players really cherish their time together at school and on the field knowing that after this season C. Rodriguez is going to graduate and go on the play at the University of Florida or get drafted by a professional team. The younger of the two have taken this once in a lifetime chance to learn more about the game and the way that it should be played.

“I’ve seen my cousin, Alex, and my older brother, Christian, have so much success and it really inspires me to work harder every day so I can live up to that potential,” J. Rodriguez said.

The younger players are getting the opportunity to learn from their family who have been a part of the Eagles success in the past couple of years.

These players feed off of each other and observe how to be a leader from their family members. There isn’t jealousy in their relationships, playing together for years has led them to learn how to support each other.

“I play the game with them and love them as my family,” A. Rodriguez said.

There is a different dynamic between these four players than MSD has ever seen on one of its baseball teams. There is talent in the family, and they show off that talent at all four grade levels for the Eagles.