The Duluth Huskies have signed NCAA Division II All-American Vinny Rodriguez out of the University of Montevallo.
Rodriguez was selected third team All-American by the NCBWA as a utility player, as well as being tabbed first team NCAA Division II All-Southeast Region selection by the association. In addition to those accolades, he was selected as a member of the preseason All-Peach Belt Conference team for the upcoming season.
Following a very successful sophomore campaign, the Birmingham, Ala. native was named second team NCBWA NCAA Division II All-Southeast Region and second team All-Peach Belt Conference.
Rodriguez, a designated hitter/outfielder, started all 53 games last season while leading the team with a .396 batting average, good for second in the Peach Belt Conference. He also knocked out seven home runs, led the team with 20 doubles, and drove in 48 runs during his sophomore season.
His .594 slugging percentage and a .476 on-base percentage also lead the team.
On top of his on-field success, Rodriguez excelled in the classroom, where his efforts earned him a place on the Peach Belt Conference All-Academic team and was named a Presidential Scholar on the conference’s Presidential Honor Roll.
The Duluth Huskies are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including MLB All-Stars Max Scherzer (DET), Chris Sale (CWS), Mark Melancon (PIT), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYY), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live and free of charge via the Northwoods League YouTube channel. For more information, visit www.duluthhuskies2.com