UTRGV expands baseball player search

UTRGV Athletics has announced that it will host open tryouts for the baseball team at 5 p.m. Oct. 6. Participants must bring their own equipment. 

Asked how many people he expects to come out for tryouts, UTRGV Baseball head coach Derek Matlock replied, “I think it’s easily around 20, 20 to 30.”

He said the tryouts will last one day and if someone looks promising, they will be further evaluated. 

“We have 14 days to evaluate a walk-on compliant,” Matlock said. “So, once we see them the first day, if we like them, we’ll keep seeing them. And, if we don’t like them, we’re not going to lead them on and let them come out here and do all that for nothing.”

Asked if there was a cap on how many players will be chosen, he replied there is not, but it would not be easy to get in. He said they were going to cut some of the current roster and they are good players, so it will be challenging for a walk-on to be picked. 

Assistant coach Kyle Kilgo said most big programs hold open tryouts. 

“The hope that you find a sleeper out there, that kind of got looked over or didn’t play a lot but has some talent, you don’t want to ever not have the opportunity to maybe catch a guy that everybody missed,” Kilgo said.

He said it is not often that overlooked talent is found.

“Every once in a while you find a big arm, or an older guy who hadn’t pitched in a while or dropped out of the game for personal reasons or whatever,” Kilgo said. “And they show up and we’re like, ‘Man, this guy’s got a chance to help us.’”

Participants have to be full-time students and meet eligibility requirements, he said. 

Kilgo also said UTRGV Baseball looks for talent and skill as well as a certain culture.

“There’s a culture to our program and that’s a big part of it,” he said. “We like guys when they come out, they get after it, they work hard, they’re selfless players and they want to be a part of something bigger than themselves.”

Volunteer assistant Ryan Jackson said the tryout “should run about an hour and a half, maybe two hours. They’ll go through their 60 times, their skills at their position. … We got pitchers to throw bullpens.”

“Bring your own cleats, bats, gloves,” Jackson said. “Whatever you need on the baseball field, bring it with you.” 

The deadline to register is 5 p.m. Friday. Tryouts will take place at the UTRGV Baseball Stadium on the Edinburg campus.

Students interested in trying out may call Jackson at 607-0088, email ryan.jackson01@utrgv.edu or visit him in person at the baseball stadium. 

Participants need proof of insurance and to be full-time students. For more information, visit goutrgv.com/news/2022/9/12/baseball-to-hold-open-tryouts.aspx.