Former UWM Panther Daulton Varsho has new mindset after switching positions for the majors

PHOENIX, AZ (CBS 58) - Daulton Varsho has reached his big league dreams as the starting center fielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks. But the former UWM Panther found that adjusting to big league life also meant adjusting his mindset at the plate.

"Guys up here are able to locate (pitches) and pitch better than any other level that you'll face. That's why it's called the big leagues," says Varsho, who struggled in his first extended look at big league pitching in 2021.

"I was really hard on myself, just not doing what I normally did and not being myself."

Varsho was hitting a paltry .145 at one point last season, but some down time in his hometown of Marshfield gave him a new perspective.

"It's okay to go oh-for-four. It is. Baseball is tough. It's basically making that oh-for-four good at bats, and if those four at bats don't result in being a hit, they will tomorrow."

Varsho closed out the year with 10 more home runs, securing him an Opening Day spot for the 2022 Arizona Diamondbacks. Varsho has switched from catcher to center field to help focus on his work at the plate.

"I'm just going to have fun. Having fun at the ballpark, and just letting all the pressure go away for me."

Varsho's 2022 season was supposed to start at American Family Field on March 31st, but because of the offseason lockout, that series has been moved to the end of the regular season. Varsho will have to wait several months to reunite with friends and family in Wisconsin.