BREAKING NEWS: Seattle Mariners Center fielder Julio Rodríguez: this is my whole world When I first met Huitema I admit-she wasn’t what I had imagined. I had my hand completely wrapped up in footy, and I wasn’t looking for anything else Huitema, though was different, she had this spark about her. She was confident energetic and had no problem speaking her mind. At the time, I wasn’t sure how to take……. view more

SEATTLE — In a rare and candid moment, Seattle Mariners star center fielder Julio Rodríguez sat down for an exclusive interview this week, opening up about life, love, and the unexpected turns fame can bring. Known for his electrifying energy on the field and his ever-present smile, Rodríguez shared a more personal side that few have seen.

“This is my whole world,” Rodríguez said quietly, glancing down before breaking into a grin. “Baseball has always been everything to me — until recently, when I realized there’s more to life than what happens between the lines.”

When asked what changed, Rodríguez mentioned meeting Jordyn Huitema, a professional soccer player and fellow Pacific Northwest star. Their paths first crossed at a charity event in Seattle last year — and, according to Rodríguez, it wasn’t love at first sight.

“When I first met Huitema, I admit — she wasn’t what I had imagined,” he laughed. “At that point, my hand was completely wrapped up in footy. Baseball was my focus, and I wasn’t looking for anything else.”

But, as Rodríguez tells it, Huitema had something that caught his attention immediately.

“She was different,” he said. “She had this spark about her — confident, energetic, and definitely not afraid to speak her mind. At the time, I wasn’t sure how to take it.”

Now, months later, the two athletes have reportedly grown close, often spotted attending each other’s games and community events around Seattle. Fans have dubbed them the PNW Power Couple — a nickname neither seems to mind.

While Rodríguez kept details of their relationship private, he hinted that Huitema has helped him find balance amid the pressures of being one of MLB’s brightest young stars.

“She reminds me that there’s a world outside baseball,” Rodríguez said. “And that maybe — just maybe — I can be great at more than one thing.”

As for the upcoming season, Rodríguez remains focused on leading the Mariners back to the playoffs — but, as he admits, with a little more perspective.

“I still love the game,” he said. “But now, I’ve got a reason to smile off the field, too.”