Newcomer Spotlight: Destiny Rodriguez

AUBURN, Ala. - As the Malveaux era enters its second season on the Plains, a bevy of newcomers will wear the Orange and Blue at Jane B. Moore Field for the first time. Throughout the fall, we’ll introduce the 13 fresh faces joining the program.

Having spent three seasons on Rocky Top, two of which were spent with the Malveauxs, senior Destiny Rodriguez will end her collegiate career on the Plains. The veteran infielder brings a wealth of expereince at the highest level, including appearing in two Women's College World Series.

Q: How old were you when you started playing softball?

Rodriguez: I was around three or four when I started playing baseball. I switched over to softball when I was 11 or 12.

Q: Who has influenced your softball career the most?

Rodriguez: I would definitely say my parents. Big shoutout to my dad because he really pushed me to pass my limits. Without him, I wouldn’t be here.

Q: What advice would you give your younger self?

Rodriguez: Some advice I would give is to forget what people say. Just keep going out and being yourself. At the end of the day, you won’t regret it. Telling myself to just keep going and that everything I was doing that led up to that point was worth it. Even the small, minuscule details that my dad would tweak. Every little thing mattered. I would just say to worry about the small things because those are the big things that matter in the end.

WCWS Experience ✅
SEC Veteran ✅

Destiny Rodriguez has it all 😎

More on Destiny ⤵️
🔗: https://t.co/SfFHWeMzhL#WarEagle | @d3stinyyyr pic.twitter.com/udg4TaC4YX

— Auburn Softball (@AuburnSoftball) November 20, 2025

Q: Why Auburn?

Rodriguez: When I entered the portal, it was almost like a no-brainer. Whenever I was back into recruiting, Chris and Kate (Malveaux) reached out. They made this place feel like home, even when I hadn’t taken a visit yet, and that says a lot. I committed before I ever stepped foot on campus. Chris and Kate played a big part in me coming here.

Q: How different it is playing for the Malveauxs now from your previous stop?

Rodriguez: At Tennessee, they were my assistant coaches. They had their own specialties: Chris (Malveaux) with hitting and Kate (Malveaux) with defense and catching. Now, it’s been a mix of both. They have to be head coaches and still have their specialty as well. It definitely was an adjustment. It'ss just different with all of the important things coming from both of them, but I love it. I think that this is well deserved for the both of them.

Q: How have your teammates helped you adjust since arriving on campus?

Rodriguez:  They’ve helped a lot by inviting all the new girls to different places. They helped us bond together. We do these Tiger Talk Walks before practice every day. The coaches give us a topic before practice, and they tell us different things to talk about. We can either stay on topic or get off topic. You get to know someone even better throughout that as well.

Q: What’s your major? What are your plans for after your playing career?

Rodriguez: Right now, I’m a graduate student. My major is adult education. Following my final year, my plan is to finish my degree while being a graduate assistant. I want to be more into the sports analytics part. After that, I want to work in MLB. I know Chris (Malveaux) has a big pull in that. I really want to learn from him and go from there.

Q: What’s one word to describe yourself on the field and one word to describe yourself off the field?

Rodriguez: On the field, I would say either disciplined or determined. Off the field, I would say passionate.

Q: If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Rodriguez: Chicken tenders. No thought about it. Chicken tenders.

Q: How is Auburn different than your hometown?

Rodriguez: Auburn very much has a family feel here. It’s a small town. At home, I live in a big city. There’s a whole bunch of little cities inside of our city. It’s very different in the sense that I went to a high school that was super huge. Obviously, Auburn University is huge, but Auburn makes it feel like I know everyone.

Q: Do you have a hidden talent or hobby?

Rodriguez: No hidden talent. But for my hobby, I like to build Lego.

Q: What is the highlight of your softball career so far?

Rodriguez: Going to the Women's College World Series. I’ve been two out of my three seasons. That’s such a blessing. Personally, my highlight would be playing in the WCWS, getting the opportunity to actually be on the field and play in that environment. It’s kind of breathtaking, especially as a freshman, that I got to have that opportunity. It was a little girl’s dream come true. It was amazing.

Q: What’s your jersey number? Does it have a special meaning?

Rodriguez: My jersey number is 34. I just always worn it. That was my dad’s number when he was growing up. It got passed down. Now my little sister has number 34, but I don’t think she knows why she wears it. I think she just wears it because I wore it. I wear this number not just for my dad but for my family as well. They just always know me as 34, and I think it makes my dad proud.

Q: What HAS to be on your pregame playlist?

Rodriguez: Throw Away by Future. That song is my crash-out song. I feel like I have to have that on my playlist before the game, especially away games.

Q: Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?

Rodriguez: No pregame ritual or superstitions. I don’t really believe in that stuff. I always step in the batter’s box with my right foot before my left. I never step in with my left foot. I always put my right sock on before my left sock. I know a lot of people put their pants on before their socks, which is very weird.  

Q: Is there a fictional character that you identify with?

Rodriguez: I love Spider-Man. I love Peter Parker. I’ve watched all the movies.

Q: What three famous people would you invite to dinner?

Rodriguez: The Rock and Kevin Hart. You can’t go anywhere without them together, and that would be very entertaining. The last person, Kobe Bryant. They’re very different, but I feel like it would be a good balance among all three.

Q: What keeps you motivated?

Rodriguez: My little sister. She’s 11. She’s going through everything I went through, so she keeps me motivated. I never want to let her down, so I think she’s my motivation every day for school, keeping my room clean, coming here and giving it my all every day.

Q: What was your dream job as a kid?

Rodriguez: My dream job as a kid was a marine biologist. I loved turtles. I love sharks, and I liked seeing all the creepy stuff that would happen undersea. But now, I am very creeped out with the ocean.