WINTER HAVEN – Polk State Baseball's newest assistant coach won't have to go far to begin his tenure with the Eagles.

Rougie Odor, 25, has spent the last five years – three as a player and two as an assistant coach – at Webber International University in Lake Wales. Odor will work with the hitters and outfielders for Polk State.

"I felt coaching was the best way for me to stay in the game," Odor said. "This is a great way to pass my knowledge on and to help players move on to four-year schools and the pros."

Over his three years as a player at Webber, Odor batted .297 with a .378 on-base percentage. As a senior for the 2021 season, he was recognized as one of the top defensive outfielders at the NAIA level with a Rawlings Gold Glove. Odor posted a perfect fielding percentage over his three years at Webber International.

"I love how the game of baseball helps you grow mentally," Odor said. "In a sport of failure, you can't have a failing mindset. Having the right mindset will help you off the field as well."

A native of Venezuela and a 2016 graduate of Winter Haven High School, Odor is not unfamiliar with Polk State or junior college baseball. He spent the first two years of his collegiate career at State College of Florida-Manatee – a Suncoast Conference rival of Polk State and the alma mater of Polk State Head Coach Al Corbeil.

"I've heard nothing but great things about this program," Odor noted of Polk State. "I'm really excited and looking forward to helping these student-athletes make it as far as possible. I want them to be the best they can possibly be and have the best season that they can."

Another Polk State connection for Odor comes from his time at Webber International. During his five years with the program, Odor played for and worked under Head Coach Collin Martin. Martin served as an assistant to Corbeil at Polk State from 2011 to 2014.

"Collin's recommendation when it came to Rougie meant a lot to me," Corbeil said. "He's a local guy with great baseball bloodlines. He's coming from a good Webber program. I expect him to be a great addition to our staff and for our players."

Odor is the older brother of Polk State infielder Roberto Odor, a second-team All-Suncoast Conference performer as a freshman last season. His cousin, Roughned Odor, is in his 10th season in the majors and currently a member of the San Diego Padres. His father, Rouglas Odor, played minor league baseball for eight seasons and is currently the manager of the Akron RubberDucks – the Double-A affiliate of Major League Baseball's Cleveland Guardians.

"I loved spending my summers with my dad," Odor added. "He taught me so much about the game."

In 2021, Odor earned his bachelor's degree from Webber International in Sports Business Management. Although he is excited about the new opportunity at Polk State, Odor is thankful for the time spent with the Warriors.

"I'm really excited about here, but I'm going to miss it there," he added. "It was a great opportunity to grow. I learned a lot of things, but I also learned a lot of things not to do. I hope that resonates with the players as well."

While baseball runs in his blood, Odor has had other passions over the years. As a middle school student at Jewett School for the Arts, he played the violin for the school's orchestra. In the end, the baseball diamond was where he wanted to be.

"The most rewarding part of this job is you get to help mold young minds and change lives," Odor noted. "I'm really invested in the players I coach and it's important to me to see them succeed."