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.
 
Jose Machado, RHP, Sophomore
 
What did you think of last season and what are your thoughts on this season?

JM: I thought we played well but we always could do better. I'm looking forward to playing with a bunch of new players this season. I think we will improve as a team.

What is your best baseball experience?

JM: Winning the state championship when I was at Columbus. We beat University my junior year to win it.

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

JM: It's the national pastime and it's such a team game that one player can't win the game by himself like in basketball.

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

JM: I'm a big fishing guy. I once caught an 80-pound tuna. I watch all the fishing shows on TV.



FIU coach Mervyl Melendez says about Machado:

"Machado has really impressed us. He had one of the best fall seasons of any pitcher that we have. He's earned the right to be part of our pitching staff and hopefully he can give us some quality innings."
 
2018 FIU PANTHERS
Logan Allen
Diandre Amion
Seth Cannady
Derek Cartaya
Steven Casey
Frank Chacon
Adan Fernandez
Jose Garcia
Andrew George
Lorenzo Hampton
Michael Harkcom
Everett Hurst
Christian Khawam
Kobe Lopez
Nick MacDonald
Tyler Myrick
Andres Nunez
Davy Phrathep
Chandler Raiden
Will Saxton
Austin Shenton
Eddie Silva
Juan Teixeira
Javier Valdes