Over Spring Break I spent the week reporting on the Mets for ESPN Gainesville. I also commentated on a Tampa Bay Rays game. An illuminating week at Spring Training really showed me that I have what it takes to make it in sports journalism. My trip started on Saturday, March …

Elvin Rodriguez, a 24-year-old Tampa Bay Rays fireballer from the Dominican Republic, struggled in Sunday’s Spring Training matchup against the New York Mets. Despite looking like the hardest-throwing pitcher in Port St. Lucie, Rodriguez struggled with ball placement. Through 1.2 innings pitched, Rodriguez had already given up two home runs. …

The Mets hosted their divisional rivals, the Washington Nationals, at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie today. I had the opportunity to bring my reporting interns (my parents) to the game. My mom and I had previously attended a Mets spring training game every year, but hadn’t been able to …

The Rays downed the Mets in their high-scoring Spring Training matchup today, winning 10-4. Solid Sunday pic.twitter.com/4VK87Gyebx — Tampa Bay Devil Rays (@RaysBaseball) March 12, 2023 The game started out as a pitchers’ duel, going scoreless through the first two innings. Mets starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco notched three strikeouts through …

Hi! My name is Connor O’Bryan. I am a senior at the University of Florida studying sports journalism. I currently write with several outlets, including ESPN Gainesville and Atrium Magazine, as well as some freelance work. I have also worked team media with the Orlando Predators and The Villages SC, …