Florida Gators freshman Christian Rodriguez to miss 2024 season

Untitled designby:Nick de la Torre•01/26/24•

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — True freshman pitcher Christian Rodriguez will miss the 2024 Florida Gators baseball season, Gators Online has learned. The righty from Stoneman Douglas High School underwent Tommy John surgery before the start of spring practice, which began on Friday, Jan. 26.

Rodriguez was the No. 5 right-handed pitching recruit in this year’s class per Perfect Game.

Rodriguez played his high school ball under Head Coach Todd Fitzgerald at Marjory Stoneman Douglas, helping the team to an undefeated 29-0 record and a Class 7A State Championship in 2023. During his prep career, the Coral Springs, Fla. product played alongside current UF teammates Jake Clemente and Jacob Gomberg. In his senior campaign, the 2023 Florida Dairy Farmers Mr. Baseball posted a 0.69 ERA with 117 strikeouts against just 13 walks in 70 2/3 innings, going 12-0 across 13 starts.

Rodriguez was named 2023 National Player of the Year by MaxPreps, placing him above names like Noble Meyer, Arjun Nimala, Max Clark and Walker Jenkins – all first-round selections in the 2023 MLB Draft. Notable players to have previously won the award are Jake Odorizzi, Dylan Bundy, Jack Flaherty, Nolan Gorman, and Bobby Witt Jr. Also named the 2023 Perfect Game National Pitcher of the Year, Rodriguez finished his prep career with a 29-2 record, 1.19 ERA and 310 strikeouts in 188 2/3 frames.

Dating back to 2022, Rodriguez was offered a spot on USA Baseball’s 18U National Team roster. In three appearances for the team, he pitched to a 0.60 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings. His signature performance came against Japan. Rodriguez he entered with the bases loaded and struck out the side on his way to five shutout innings with seven strikeouts en route to earning the win. Rodriguez netted the International Performance of the Year Award from USA Baseball for his pitching effort.

Florida Gators complete SEC schedule

(The dates are subject to change as the SEC will have certain series starting on Thursday nights rather than Friday nights.)

DateOpponentLocation
March 15Texas A&M AggiesGainesville
March 16Texas A&M AggiesGainesville
March 17Texas A&M AggiesGainesville
March 22LSU TigersBaton Rouge, Louisiana
March 23LSU TigersBaton Rouge, Louisiana
March 24LSU TigersBaton Rouge, Louisiana
March 29Mississippi State BulldogsGainesville
March 30Mississippi State BulldogsGainesville
March 31Mississippi State BulldogsGainesville
April 5Missouri TigersColumbia, Missouri
April 6Missouri TigersColumbia, Missouri
April 7Missouri TigersColumbia, Missouri
April 12South Carolina GamecocksGainesville
April 13South Carolina GamecocksGainesville
April 14South Carolina GamecocksGainesville
April 19Vanderbilt CommodoresNashville, Tennessee
April 20Vanderbilt CommodoresNashville, Tennessee
April 21Vanderbilt CommodoresNashville, Tennessee
April 26Arkansas RazorbacksFayetteville, Arkansas
April 27Arkansas RazorbacksFayetteville, Arkansas
April 28Arkansas RazorbacksFayetteville, Arkansas
May 3Tennessee VolunteersGainesville
May 4Tennessee VolunteersGainesville
May 5Tennessee VolunteersGainesville
May 10Kentucky WildcatsGainesville
May 11Kentucky WildcatsGainesville
May 12Kentucky WildcatsGainesville
May 16Georgia BulldogsAthens, Georgia
May 17Georgia BulldogsAthens, Georgia
May 18Georgia BulldogsAthens, Georgia
May 21-26SEC TOURNAMENTHoover, Alabama

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