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.
 
Davy Phrathep, C, Sophomore
 
What can you take from last baseball season?

DP: Last season we had our ups and downs. The peaks and valleys were a little draining but this year I hope we start steady and climb our way up.

What is your best baseball experience?

DP: Probably when we walked-off to beat Miami at home last year. The atmosphere for that game made me realize how special the culture of baseball is in Miami for our team and UM. I come from St. Petersburg where there isn't a really big baseball culture over there.

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

DP: When the Cubs won the World Series and Kris Bryant is smiling as he fields the last out and throws to first base. That's how the game of baseball is supposed to be played all the time. That was inspirational.



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

DP: I know how to play the ukulele and I'm good at playing the piano. I love playing instruments. Some of my best friends back home taught me how to play. We just go out to the beach in St. Petersburg to play. "Fly Me to the Moon" is my go-to song on the ukulele.

FIU coach Mervyl Melendez says about Phrathep:

"Davy will be our backup catcher and bullpen catcher. He is one of the best teammates we have on this team."
 
2018 FIU PANTHERS
Logan Allen
Diandre Amion
Derek Cartaya
Steven Casey
Frank Chacon
Adan Fernandez
Jose Garcia
Andrew George
Christian Khawam
Kobe Lopez
Nick MacDonald
Tyler Myrick
Andres Nunez
Chandler Raiden
Austin Shenton
Eddie Silva
Juan Teixeira
Javier Valdes