By Pete Pelegrin
Twitter: @Petepelegrin

With more than half of its roster comprised of new players the FIU baseball team has such a different look this coming season that you might need to hand out "Hello, My Name is" stickers at the FIU ballpark. Since there are so many new faces, from now until Opening Day on Feb. 16 when Missouri comes to town for a three-game series, we'll profile the newest Panthers as well as the returning FIU ballplayers.
 
Derek Cartaya, INF, Sophomore

What are your thoughts on your freshman year last season?

DC: I started off pretty well but then experienced some setbacks. I'm looking forward to improving this season and on being more consistent.

What is your best baseball experience?

DC: Last year walking off against Miami was pretty cool. I've never seen anyone in a baseball game tag up from second base and score like Kolby Follis did. Only someone with Kolby's speed could do such a thing.



Give me an example of a game or a moment that makes baseball such a great game.

DC: The play Derek Jeter made at home plate against the A's in the 2001 playoffs. Jeter was the cutoff man and made a no-look flip to home plate to throw out Jeremy Giambi. Jeter was somewhere on the field where he wasn't even supposed to be. He pitched the ball backwards to home plate to Jorge Posada and they got Giambi. Amazing.

Tell me something away from baseball about you that someone might find interesting?

DC: I'm big into the country life. I love country music. I like to go to country concerts. I like to go mudding and fish. I got a lifted truck. I like Florida Georgia Line's music. Some of the most down-to-earth people you meet are country people.

FIU coach Mervyl Melendez says about Cartaya:

"Cartaya will mostly play second base for us. He can do multiple things. He's a leader on and off the field."
 
 2018 FIU PANTHERS
Logan Allen
Diandre Amion
Jose Garcia
Kobe Lopez
Andres Nunez