Our Team

When you train at The Yard, you join a community committed to excellence on and off the field. Our coaches proudly serve athletes from St. Pete, Tampa, and throughout the Bay Area, helping you take your game to the next level. The coaching staff at The Yard includes experienced baseball and softball instructors, including former MLB players, serving athletes across Largo, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and the greater Tampa Bay area.

At The Yard, we teach the skills that make champions—and build character along the way.

Mission Statment

Our coaching philosophy emphasizes fundamentals, repetition, and game-ready development. We work with athletes at every level, from beginners to competitive travel baseball players, to help them improve skills, build confidence, and compete at a higher level.

Who we train

Youth baseball players, High school athletes, etc.

Meet The Team

Sean Rodriguez

Founder
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Sean Rodriguez is a former Major League Baseball player, known for his leadership, versatility, and passion for developing athletes. Over the course of his 13-year MLB career, 17 total Professionally. He played for several organizations including the Los Angeles Angels, Tampa Bay Rays, Pittsburgh Pirates, Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and Miami Marlins.
Renowned as one of the game’s most dependable utility players, Sean brought intensity and professionalism to every role he filled. He now serves as a coach in player development for the Philadelphia Phillies, where he helps guide and mentor players throughout the organization.

Off the field, he’s carried that same dedication into coaching and player development — helping young athletes grow not only in skill but in mindset, preparation, and confidence.
Sean’s philosophy centers on building well-rounded players through discipline, accountability, and love for the game — inspiring the next generation to compete at their highest level.
Ron Davis

Co-Founder
Matt Morgan

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Matt, after being named Alabama’s Player of the Year and ranked the number 1 catcher in the state was drafted out of high school by the Blue Jays in the 4th round. Matt played 5 seasons in the Blue Jays minor league organization and then spent 2 seasons playing in the American Association and Frontier League.
Once his playing career ended he decided to dedicate his time to coaching athletes and try to make a difference in their lives. He says, “I’ve always wanted to give back to the game and pass on what all of the great coaches and people in my career gave to me.”
Johnny Rodriguez

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With over 35 years of coaching and scouting experience, from MLB, MILB and the Collegiate levels. Johnny Rodriguez brings a deep well of baseball expertise and leadership to our program. He began his professional career working in the MLB for the New York Yankees and later served as a Manager/ Hitting coach / Infield Coordinator in the Montreal Expos, Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals organizations. Tallying over 1,000 minor league wins as a manger. Several championships to go with those wins as well.
Throughout his career, Johnny also scouted for multiple Major League Baseball organizations including the Houston Astros, Anaheim Angels, New York Mets, and Milwaukee Brewers.
His dedication to player development extends beyond the professional level — he’s coached at the University of Miami and Miami Dade College.
Johnny combines his decades of experience with modern technology, using TrackMan data to provide players with advanced hitting metrics, swing analysis, and performance feedback. His coaching philosophy focuses on strong fundamentals, character development, and maximizing each player’s potential through data-driven instruction and real-world experience.
Josh Strickland

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Born and raised in Clearwater, Florida, Coach Josh started playing baseball at age 4 and quickly fell in love with the game. By age 11, he joined local travel teams, and from 13 to 17, he was fortunate to play under Coach Robert Rodriguez — someone who made a lasting impact on his development as both a player and a person.
A Countryside High School graduate (2018), he was a four-year varsity starter at shortstop, earning Rookie of the Year honors and helping his team capture a district title.
He went on to play five years at Warner University for legendary Head Coach Jeff Sikes, earning a degree in Exercise & Sport Leadership. During his collegiate career, he became Warner’s all-time leader in Singles (203), At-Bats (767), and Games Played (227), while helping the program reach back-to-back NAIA regional appearances for the first time since 2009.
After graduating, Coach Josh spent a year as a Graduate Assistant at Southeastern University under Head Coach Adrian Dinkel — the #1 ranked NAIA program in the nation — specializing in infield and hitting development.
Now a proud member of the R3 coaching staff, Coach Josh is passionate about developing complete players — not just better athletes, but better young men. His goal is to help each player grow in skill, confidence, and character while building a lifelong love for the game.
Robert Rodriguez

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Coach Robert Rodriguez brings years of professional playing and coaching experience to the field. A former Minor League catcher in the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals organization (2002–2006), Robert played across multiple levels, including the Gulf Coast League, South Atlantic League, and Double-A Eastern League.
After his playing career, he transitioned into coaching, leading high school and academy programs across Miami and St. Petersburg. Robert spent several years coaching in the Miami Marlins Minor League system, in the gulf coast league, before joining the Major League staff as an Assistant Hitting Coach (2020–2021).
Today, Robert serves as the Director of Baseball Operations for R3 Athletics and the Head Baseball Coach at Northside Christian School in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he continues to develop athletes through elite-level instruction, mentorship, and player development programs.
Keano Suarez

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Keano Suarez is a former Division I and NAIA catcher who played at the University of Central Florida. Known for his leadership behind the plate and strong baseball IQ, Keano transitioned into coaching after his playing career, focusing on developing young catchers and hitters. He currently coaches high school and travel baseball while giving private lessons, bringing his passion and experience to the next generation of players.