Rodrėguez, who is a catcher/first baseman from Yauco, Puerto Rico, batted .390 in 20 games for Juana Diaz in 2007 as he registered five doubles, one triple, two home runs, 13 runs scored, and 16 RBI on his way to being selected to the National All-Star Game. He also threw out an incredible 14 of the 16 runners who tried to steal on him. During his senior season at Yauco High School, he batted .498 with four home runs in eight games.

"Ricardo comes highly regarded from Puerto Rico,” said MVNU head coach Keith Veale, who has posted a 602-289 record in 18 seasons at the helm of the Cougars. "He is a critical piece to our recruiting as we work to replace two senior catchers. Ricardo has been selected to play for some elite teams in his area and I am certain he will be competitively strong. I love it when players are excited to be here, and I know that he is really looking forward to his arrival at MVNU.”

In addition to playing baseball, Rodrėguez received a High Honor Award as a result of having a 3.78 grade point average. He also participated in community service work with a group of students.

"Opportunities don’t come too many times in life,” said Rodrėguez of his college choice. "When they do, some people get scared and ignore them, while others take them but not seriously enough. For some time now, I have dreamed of going to the United States to study to become a professional and also to better develop my baseball skills. Now, I have the opportunity of doing exactly what I have hoped for to fulfill my goals.”

"After reading articles over the internet, visiting the university’s website, and through the recommendation of former MVNU player Efrain Montero, I know that I can be a better ballplayer with the trainings and staff of the university,” added Rodrėguez.

MVNU is an NAIA school that competes in the American Mideast Conference. The Cougars captured a share of the AMC South Division title in 2007 - the program’s 12th conference title - and advanced to the NAIA Region IX Tournament championship game for the eighth straight year as the team finished with a 38-16 overall mark. Over the years, MVNU has had 13 players drafted by Major League teams including Tim Belcher, who was the top pick overall in the 1983 draft. Six other former players have signed free agent contracts to play professional baseball.