Athlete of the Week: Troy Lazaro, Dr. Phillips Little League

Dr. Phillips Little League’s pitcher Troy Lazaro first played baseball at 2 years old with his Little Tikes Tots Sports T-ball. He would place it underneath his stroller to let his mom know he was ready to head to the playground. Since then, Lazaro was placed in DPLL at 4 years old and in three seasons worked his way up to AAA teams at 7 years old. 

In his AAA fall 2025 season, Lazaro recorded an on-base percentage of more than .800 and led the team of 9- to 11-year-olds. In the spring season, Lazaro had a .600 on-base percentage and became a starting pitcher for the team. He also recently competed on DPLL’s Tournament of Champions team for his efforts during the season. 

“Each season he grows and improves his leadership, work ethic and overall baseball IQ,” his parents said. “He always gives 110%. Typically he is always the first on the field and with complete joy on his face. He has a passion for baseball and competition.”

What do you enjoy most about baseball? 

What I enjoy most about baseball is hanging out with my team, having fun, practicing drills like “run downs,” batting practice, playing games — such as Zombies and Survivors, and Moss — and coach-led pizza parties, my dad coaching and my mom being dugout mom.  

What is your best memory in baseball?  

My best memory in baseball was winning my first championship! My dad was managing/coaching, my brother was on my same team and my parents had a surprise celebration of seltzer bottles to shake up and spray on my entire team! I felt like a professional player being showered in seltzer water. It was epic! Our team turned it into a seltzer water fight. Spraying my dad with a shaken-up seltzer was so fun.  

What has baseball taught you? 

Baseball has taught me how to be a good sportsman and how to be a good baseball player. I’m still actively building the habit of handling setbacks by always being respectful.

What advice would you give someone who just joined baseball?  

I would advise them to try hard and you will get better. Practice every day by throwing against the wall or by hitting a tee or against a net. Practice always makes me better.   

If you were a coach, what speech would you give the team? 

If I was a coach, the speech would depend on what type of a team I have or their mood. If my team is good I would give them a heart speech, “We have a championship in our hands!” Making them feel excited and brave. If my team needs developing, I would give them a more mindful speech, “Baseball ready,” giving them specific directions with their hands and feet. 

What is your pre-game ritual? 

My pre-game ritual starts the night before with a good night’s sleep. (The morning starts with) waking up, praying, (and) eating a healthy breakfast of eggs and sausage and grapes. (I) head to the fields an hour before game time, listening to my get-psyched song, “Long Way Down” by the Goo Goo Dolls, practicing an hour before with my team by fielding and batting. Once at a game and called at bat, I make the sign of the cross before the plate and then on myself.

Whom do you look up to the most? 

I look up to the most my older brother Jude, who also plays baseball as shortstop. 

What is something new you would like to learn?  

I’d like to learn how to dunk a basketball. 

Where would you want to live if you weren’t in Florida? 

If I (weren’t) in Florida, I would like to live in Boston, Massachusetts. When I visited the Dick’s Sporting Goods store there, they had a batting cage that allowed me to track my swings and ball exit velocity. 

What is your favorite birthday memory? 

My eighth birthday was my favorite memory. I had a huge pool party and bounce house and waterslide with all my friends! It started at 11 a.m. and ended very late. We played all day!  

What future career do you want to have? 

I would like to be a professional baseball player playing shortstop and batting second for the New York Yankees.

If you had to pick a spirit animal, which would you choose? 

I would choose a dog because they are loyal, protective and fun. They also chase squirrels that I’m scared of.