In the outfield, Baylor graduated two of its three starters in Logan Brown and Adam Toth, so players like Esthay, Joe Sabatini, Levi Gilcrease and redshirt freshman Richard Cunningham will have their opportunities to shine.

Lineup on the go

Rodriguez said he’ll likely alter and adjust lineups as players prove themselves, and plans to use a number of players at multiple positions.

“I want to see them play and want to see them use their talents for a while,” Rodriguez said. “The new system and new style, all of that is just going to be according to how everything is going on the field.”

Obviously the coach is still growing accustomed to Baylor and Central Texas, though he has immersed himself in Baylor culture, even attending Baylor basketball games as an honorary member of the Bear Pit.

After more than a decade donning the blue and orange of Pepperdine, he’s even starting to get used to Baylor green.

“The whole new wardrobe thing, getting used to green and gold was a shock at first,” Rodriguez said. “But it’s great because it’s everywhere. You go to HEB, you go to the grocery stores and that’s all you see and all anybody is wearing. You get used to it really quick.”