Academy Notebook: Briana Rodriguez commits to Texas College; Spring programming begins March 28; Women’s History Month spotlight: Miranda Castaneda

Briana Rodriguez commits to Texas College

Briana Rodriguez, Texas Rangers Youth Academy athlete and James Bowie High School senior, announced her commitment to further her education and softball career at Texas College last month.

“I selected Texas College because I felt very welcomed by the softball program,” said Rodriguez. “While on my visit, I learned a lot about the school and I believe I will fit in well at a campus like the one Texas College provides for their students.”

Rodriguez, who plans to study criminal justice while in school, is excited to have found her home in Tyler, Texas, after a long but successful recruitment process.

My college recruitment process involved a lot of hard work,” she said. “I learned that when coaches are recruiting, they’re looking for more than just talent in a player. I had to trust the process, but in the end, it was worth it.”

Throughout her five years training at the Youth Academy, Rodriguez has collected many accolades and proven what it takes to be successful on and off the diamond.

The second baseman and pitcher claimed two Rangers RBI Softball championships with the Gophers in 2020 and 2021, was named a Whataburger Rising Star in 2021 for her strength, determination, leadership and played on the Rangers’ 2022 Jennie Finch Classic All-Star team, where she competed in Los Angeles as part of MLB’s All-Star Week.

After years of dedication to fine-tuning her skills and training day after day with Youth Academy staff, Rodriguez knows she is ready to level up.

“The Rangers Youth Academy has provided me with amazing opportunities to learn and improve as a person and an athlete,” she said. “Playing at the Rangers Academy has taught me to always give my all because you never know when someone is watching. Through everything I have worked hard for at the Academy, I have been taught how to adapt to playing with new people and have an open mind when it comes to being coached.

“When I am playing with my new team, I will bring drive, determination and discipline. I will make my team better by building trust and giving my all as a student-athlete,” she added.

The Texas College Steers, who currently sit at a 12-8 record to start the 2023 season, will look to improve their on-field performance with the arrival of Rodriguez for the 2024 season.

Winter programming ends, registration opens for spring session

The Texas Rangers Youth Academy completed another successful winter programming session for its athletes this week. The eight-week session saw hundreds of kids ages 7-18 develop baseball and softball skills with Rangers Youth Academy coaches.

With the conclusion of the winter session comes the beginning of the spring session, taking place from March 28 to April 27.

Athletes ages 7-12 participating in 9U and 12U spring programming will train on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Athletes in 18U programming will train only on Wednesday nights due to the high school baseball and softball seasons currently underway.

Programming is available at no cost to athletes of all skill levels, who will divide into specialized groups for hands-on coaching in a variety of areas, including hitting, fielding, throwing, base running and more.

Additionally, athletes ages 13-18 may register for spring weight room workouts before Wednesday night programming to work on strength training with Dash Johnson, former Academy coach and current Manager of Youth Academy Baseball and Softball Operations.

Registration for Texas Rangers Youth Academy spring programming and weight room workouts is open now and will remain open throughout the five-week session. To register your child, visit texasrangers.com/academy.

Women’s History Month spotlight: Miranda Castaneda

Miranda Castaneda started playing ball when she was just seven years old. Like many young women, she first played baseball, following in the footsteps of her father and older brother, before finding her way to softball.

Over the years, Castaneda had an on-and-off relationship with the game but always managed to find her way back to the softball diamond.

“I like softball because I get to push myself and make new friends,” she said. “It's something I always look forward to, and I like competition.”

After her freshman year of high school, Castaneda, who at the time was rediscovering her interest in the sport, joined the Texas Rangers Youth Academy, where she found her biggest inspiration in Academy coach MacKenzie Velasquez.

“She helped me find love for the game again,” said Castaneda. “I kind of lost it, and being with her, she's one of the best coaches I've had. We just get each other.

“She showed me that you don't always have to go Division I, you can start wherever you want, like in JuCo (junior college) and that it’s a good option too. She helps me get better, teaches me new stuff, helps me with scholarships, where to go, who to talk to and always pushes me to do better.”

In just three years training at the Youth Academy, Castaneda has proven her value on the diamond as an offensive threat and versatile defender playing both third base and catcher. She’s received selections for MLB Develops events like the Breakthrough Series and Elite Development Invitational, played in the Rangers RBI League and was on the 2022 Jennie Finch Classic All-Star team, among other accomplishments.

She hopes her accolades provide a path to play collegiate softball in junior college with dreams of transferring to a larger program after honing her skills at a higher level.

In addition to working with coaches like Velasquez on a regular basis, through her experiences at the Texas Rangers Youth Academy, Castaneda has met several of her softball heroes, including Lauren Chamberlain, Jennie Finch, Cat Osterman and Jocelyn Alo.

“[Working with former softball stars] was fun, I can say that. They taught me more about softball and what colleges look for and it was fun just being out there with them because they taught me so much, and I actually remember it,” she said.

“You don't always have to be perfect. You're going to fail more than you’ll succeed— that's something that's stuck with me.”

Advice from athletes who have come before her and support from her favorite coaches, have fueled Castaneda on her journey to accomplishing her softball goals.

“A bunch of girls stop playing because they think we can’t make it that far, but softball gives you big opportunities just like baseball,” she said. “Women didn't always have the opportunities that guys have and these girls [at the Youth Academy] show that girls can do anything as well as guys.”

Castaneda and two of her best friends at the Academy, Ana Gonzalez and Gio Frias, are prime examples of female athletes setting the standard and reaching new heights day in and day out.

“We push each other,” she said. “We try to come every day to these Academy events and when we compete against each other, it's fun, but we try to practice together, work together, and get better together.”

Constantly working to improve, Castaneda will redefine what it means to be a softball star as she pursues a college playing career, with hopes to one day become someone young girls can look up to.