Campus Newcomer: Loras College C/1B transfer Daniel Rogers
We continue on with our Iowa Baseball campus newcomers series and up next is a decorated transfer from just up the road at Loras College. A native of Grayslake, IL, C/1B Daniel Rogers spent four years with the DuHawks program and will now spend his final year of eligibility in Iowa City with the Hawkeyes.
Rogers was a four-time American Rivers All-Conference selection, a three-time All-Region selection and earned First Team All-American honors this past season. As a junior in 2023, Daniel batted .388, with 21 doubles, ten home runs and 40 RBI’s, as well as 42 walks/hbp to just 24 strikeouts.
As a senior this past season, Rogers batted .444, with a .538 on-base percentage, including 19 doubles, three triples, eight home runs and 38 RBI’s. He owns Loras College program records for hits in a season (72), doubles in a career (59) and hits in a career (239), while his .444 batting average is the second-highest single-season total in program history.
We caught up with the 6-foot-4 catcher/first baseman to discuss his time at Loras College, his transfer to Iowa and much more.
Q: When do you move to Iowa City and what is your excitement level like for that move in day?
ROGERS: I have already been spending time in Iowa City this summer to train and am very excited for the school year to start and be with the entire team.
Q: What number do you plan on wearing and why?
ROGERS: I wore #26 at Loras the past 4 years, however I have never been too focused on a specific number. Whatever number I have will be great.
Q: What have you been doing this summer to prepare for when you join the team?
ROGERS: This summer I have been training in Iowa City, working out with other guys on the team, which has been a great way to prepare.
Q: You broke several Loras College records, including career hits, career doubles and hits in a season. What does it mean to you to leave your mark on Loras with numbers like that?
ROGERS: My experience at Loras was amazing, Coach Tebon, Coach Woj, and the rest of the staff make the baseball program somthing very special to be a part of. I owe my success to them. The relationships I made with the coaching staff and my teammates are very special and to be able to break those records with them around me are definitely memories I won’t forget. As for leaving my mark, for now I hold those records, but seeing them be broken in the future would be awesome because it means that the program is continuing to get better.
Q: How have you seen yourself grow as a player from your freshman year at Loras College until now? How has your career at Loras prepared you for your final year of eligibility at Iowa?
ROGERS: My knowledge of the game has greatly increased since my freshman year of college. Each season I played has prepared me for my final year because I know what it’s like playing a full season of college baseball. The mental aspect of a full baseball season/schedule is something I am used to.
Q: Looking back at your recruitment out of the transfer portal, what stood out about the Iowa Baseball program that made them an easy choice over other schools?
ROGERS: Iowa stood out because of the coaching staff and the culture that I felt when visiting and talking with the coaches and players. Coach Tebon at Loras guided me along the way as well and this was the best fit.
Q: Were there any other teams that you heavily considered during your recruitment?
ROGERS: There were a few teams that expressed interest, but I did not heavily consider them because of the fit with Iowa.
Q: What is your relationship like with the coaching staff? Who do you talk with the most?
ROGERS: My relationship with the coaching staff is great. It is great to talk with them them all. I would say that I have talked with Coach Sutherland the most since I talked with him throughout the recruitment process.
Q: Have you gotten a chance to talk with any of the current players on team? What is your relationship like with them?
ROGERS: I have met some of current players on the team and it has been great meeting/getting to know them.
Q: If someone asked you “what do you bring to the Iowa team?” How would you describe your game?
ROGERS: I would say that I bring an upperclassmen type presence to the team since I have been playing college baseball for the past 4 years. Coming from a Division 3 school the baseball may be different, but the mental aspect of playing a full season, practicing, school work, and everything in between does not change. I know what it takes for a team to succeed during a season.
Q: Where does the coaching staff see you fitting in with the team?
ROGERS: I am a catcher and first basemen, so the goal is to be able to contribute at those positions in any way I can.
