FORT MYERS, Fla. — When rookie lefthander Eduardo Rodriguez arrived at the Red Sox clubhouse last June, positive role models were not in abundance.

The Sox had a rotation of lost souls, a group of pitchers either struggling to stay in the major leagues or trying to chop down astronomical earned run averages.

Two weeks after he joined the team, Rodriguez witnessed Wade Miley get into a heated confrontation with manager John Farrell, challenging his authority in front of the team during a game in Baltimore.

Rodriguez was able to stay afloat in a toxic pool, going 10-6 with a 3.85 ERA in 21 starts. In all but four of those starts, he held the opposition to three earned runs or fewer.

“I thought I pitched well. But I know I should have been better,’’ Rodriguez said. “I had a lot of things to figure out.’’

When the Red Sox signed David Price in December, Rodriguez heard the news at his home in Miami and celebrated. His team was getting an ace, and he a teacher.

“When I would look at video to learn about hitters, I would type in David’s name and see what he did,’’ Rodriguez said. “I like seeing how he pitched to certain hitters, especially the Yankees. How he pitches, how he throws his pitches.

“I like everything about him. I tried to learn from him on the video.’’

Now all he has to do is ask. The Red Sox, not coincidentally, put Price and Rodriguez in the same five-man work group for spring training. Rodriguez wasn’t told to emulate Price, but he didn’t have to be.

“I think it comes naturally,’’ Farrell said. “You always give suggestions, but I think one thing that David Price has established for himself is he’s done it with many people, many pitchers. That’s why he’s got such a strong reputation as the teammate that he is.’’

Price did not face the Red Sox last season. But he took notice of Rodriguez and has learned more in the early days of spring training.

“He’s eager to learn. That’s not always the case with young guys,’’ Price said. “A lot of young guys, especially with an arm like his, feel like they can figure stuff out on their own.

“He’s come up to me every day, two or three times a day, and picked my brain about certain pitches or how to use certain pitches. It’s good to see.’’

Price had mentors such as James Shields and Scott Kazmir when he came up through the Tampa Bay organization. It’s also his nature to be a teacher. Price, who starred at Vanderbilt, trains at the school’s facility in the offseason and often works with young pitchers.

Tampa Bay’s Chris Archer and Toronto’s Marcus Stroman, two sparkling young talents, benefited from being around Price. Now Rodriguez gets that chance.

“We talk about everything, mechanics and how to handle the future. He’s trying to help me with my curveball,’’ Rodriguez said. “He probably thinks I’m following him around.’’

Rodriguez gets plenty of instruction from pitching coach Carl Willis. Farrell, a former pitching coach, also aids in that. But sometimes it takes a peer for the message to sink in.

“That example in front of you means a lot,’’ Farrell said.

Rodriguez has the talent to be a front-line starter. The 22-year-old needs work on his breaking pitches and the ability to repeat his delivery. But the tools are there. He averaged 94 miles per hour with his fastball last season and has command of a changeup. That suggests he should average more than the 7.2 strikeouts per nine innings he had a year ago.

“I want to be more consistent. I’m working on that. For me, I think that is the biggest thing. I need to be more consistent with all my pitches to deal with any situation,’’ Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez has overcome the problems he had with tipping pitches to opposing batters last season. He was 4-1 with a 2.08 ERA in his last seven starts. He’s also physically prepared to get to 200 innings.

“I can give them whatever they need from me,’’ Rodriguez said. “I feel great and I did a lot to get my body ready. Last year taught me a lot.’’

The Red Sox had a role model in Jon Lester before his trade in 2014. Now, after some wandering in the wilderness, they have Price.

“It was great for me when they signed him,’’ Rodriguez said. “I feel like I’m a better pitcher already and it’s only been a few days.’’

Peter Abraham can be reached at pabraham@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @PeteAbe.