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.
 
JUAN TEIXEIRA, OF, Sophomore
 
What were you doing last baseball season?

JT: I was at ASA College in Hialeah where I hit .390 with three home runs. We made it to the regional tournament.

What is your best baseball experience?

JT: Playing with my brother in high school at Somerset and then playing here at FIU and knowing that my brother is coming here to FIU next year. My brother is a pitcher and he recently threw 96. I faced him once in high school and I think I got a hit.

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

JT: Mariano Rivera's last outing when Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte went to the mound to take him out of the game. I thought that was a great moment for baseball. They pulled him out to a standing ovation.



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

JT: I'm a big soccer fan. My favorite team is FC Barcelona. I like to go home and sit on the couch with my dad and watch some sports like soccer, basketball and tennis.

FIU coach Mervyl Melendez says about Teixeira:

"Juan all around is one of our best athletes on the team. He's a center fielder that will hit in the middle of the lineup."
 
2018 FIU PANTHERS
Logan Allen
Diandre Amion
Derek Cartaya
Adan Fernandez
Jose Garcia
Christian Khawam
Kobe Lopez
Nick MacDonald
Tyler Myrick
Andres Nunez
Chandler Raiden
Austin Shenton
Eddie Silva
Javier Valdes