Rodriguez, Matienzo and Prunty Ink Professional Contracts

June 24, 2002

Coral Gables, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) — – The Miami Hurricanes have had three players sign professional contracts so far during the off-season in senior infielder Javy Rodriguez, junior catcher Danny Matienzo and sophomore right-hander T.J. Prunty.

Rodriguez, a fifth-round pick by the Angels, has already begun playing for the Rancho Cucamonga (CA) Quakes.

Both Prunty and Matienzo were each drafted by Minnesota in the 21st and 23rd rounds, respectively, and were assigned to the Twins’ Elizabethtown (PA) rookie team.

Rodriguez ended his University of Miami career as one of its most prolific players all-time. His name can be found high up in the UM career record books for hits (#2, 321), stolen bases (#2, 135), at bats (#3, 868), total bases (#3, 427), total sacrifices (#3, 42), runs (#5, 201) and RBI (#10, 157).

Matienzo, who had one year of college eligibility remaining, was the first player during the offseason to sign following the 2002 MLB Amateur Player Draft. Matienzo was also a 24th round draft pick of the Twins coming out of Columbus High School in 2000. Matienzo also left his name in the career school records with fourth-most home runs by a Hurricane (42) and RBI (189).

Prunty, a draft-eligible sophomore, had two years remaining in his collegiate eligibility but opted to sign with his hometown Twins. Prunty was also a Twins draft-pick, in the 20th round, coming out of St. Paul Academy in 2001.