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THE BEST IN THE BIZ: The 2010 All-Valley Baseball Team
McAllen’s Garza caps stellar high school career as Valley MVP
McAllen High ace Alexis Garza only played for the Bulldogs for two seasons. But, oh my, what a couple of seasons they were.
Born in Mexico, Alexis began his high school baseball career at PSJA High where he quickly made a name for himself during his freshman and sophomore seasons.
"But after my sophomore season, my parents moved to the McAllen area so we all decided that it was best for me to transfer to McHi and play baseball there," Alexis said. "It was hard as first. I really missed by friends at PSJA. But I believe that everything happens for a reason and I think everything worked out pretty well."
Indeed.
Garza immediately made an impact for the Bulldogs. During his junior season at McHi, he went 9-4 with a 1.21 ERA in 66 innings of work and even threw a perfect game against McAllen Memorial. He also excelled at the plate, hitting .458 with 14 doubles, five triples, three home runs and 36 RBIs.
Naturally, with such impressive numbers as a junior, much was expected of the 6-foot-1 righty as he entered his senior season in 2010. And while some athletes find it hard to live up to expectations, Garza had no trouble whatsoever.
Garza finished the season a perfect 11-0 with an ERA of 1.34 with 72 strikeouts and just 17 walks. He even threw a no-hitter against Brownsville Lopez in the third round of the playoffs. He was also a big reason McAllen rose to the No. 1 spot in the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association’s state poll.
But his finest hour may have been in Game 1 of the Bulldogs’ Class 5A regional semifinal series against San Antonio Churchill. Against the Chargers, Garza gave up just two hits and struck out eight in a big 6-0 victory.
Unfortunately, games two and three of the series didn’t go as the Bulldogs planned. Churchill stormed back to take the best-of-three series 2-1 and end McHi’s season at 35-5.
"It was pretty disappointing to go down like that after going up 1-0 in that series," Garza said. "But I’m still proud of the season we had and I just figure that everything happens for a reason. I’m just ready to move forward."
And moving forward is exactly what Garza is doing. Earlier this month, Garza was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 44th round of the MLB draft.
But going pro is just an option right now for this talented young man as he also committed to play ball at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.
"I’m supposed to be evaluated by the Astros later this summer and I’ll see what they have to say," Garza said. "If they offer me a good deal, I’ll probably put college on hold for a while and go pro. But right now that’s just an option. I may decide to go to school and hopefully raise my stock there. We’ll just have to wait and see."
McHi's Pompa leads Bulldogs to new heights in 2010
Eliseo Pompa has been coaching baseball for a very long time. And over his more than 34 years in the business with stints at Mission High, Sharyland and, now, McAllen High, he’s seen plenty of teams come and go.
But even if Pompa were to coach for another 34 years, he’d be hard-pressed to forget the 2010 Bulldogs.
Coming into the season, much had been made of McHi’s chances at advancing to the state tournament. After all, the team returned a bevy of senior talent along with a solid core of experienced underclassmen.
And right off the bat, the Bulldogs lived up to the hype as they stormed out to a 28-3 regular-season record, won the school’s first district title since 1993 and even rose to No. 1 in the state polls.
Through it all, however, — despite all the notoriety — the Bulldogs remained grounded, focused and humble. Just like their head coach.
Naturally, Pompa deflected the credit to his players and gave himself little credit for the team’s success.
"They were one of the most relaxed and focused teams I’ve ever coached in all my years," Pompa said. "They were all business and they never got cocky no matter how much press was thrown their way."
His players see things differently.
"He’s a great coach who really knows how to get the best out of all his players and he did just that with us this season," said Alvaro Moreno, McHi’s star shortstop who played for Pompa all four of his high school years.
"He knows the game and really knows how to pass that knowledge on to all the guys on the team."
And it was this very knowledge that came in handy when the good times suddenly turned bad during the postseason.
Despite their No. 1 state ranking, the Bulldogs couldn’t overcome San Antonio Churchill in the fourth round of the playoffs, even after they took Game 1 of the best-of-3 regional semifinal series.
"It was pretty disappointing to fall out of the playoffs like we did," Pompa said. "But I told the guys afterward that they needed to focus on the positives the season produced and not focus on the negative.
"The way I see it, we proved that Valley baseball teams are really starting to turn some heads out there. And that’s a tribute to our kids and their commitment to the game of baseball. I’m just honored to play a small role in the whole process."
PSJA's Garcia, McHi's Moreno, Hidalgo's Barrera head up All-Valley first team
Rolando Garcia isn’t the type of pitcher that overwhelms the competition with blazing fastballs. And at 5-foot-9, 192 pounds, he also isn’t the type of guy that looms large on the mound. Randy Johnson he definitely is not.
Still, armed with a wicked knuckleball that his brother taught him to throw, Garcia was big enough in 2010 to lead the Bears to their second straight district title, get named District 31-5A’s Most Valuable Player and earn himself All-Valley Pitcher of the Year honors.
Check out these stats: a 10-1 record with one save to go along with an ERA of 1.66, 73 strikeouts and four shutouts. He also wasn’t bad at the plate as he hit .442 with 41 RBIs, 12 doubles and seven home runs.
What’s more, his talents extend behind the plate as Garcia earned a spot on the all-state squad as a third-team catcher.
"I’ve just always pitched and played catcher," Garcia said. "I’ve been doing both since I first started playing baseball when I was 3 years old. It’s just natural for me to do both."
Garcia admits that he feels his has more potential to excel as a catcher and will most likely catch when he attends Laredo Junior College.
"I really like to pitch, but I’m not sure I can get to the next level without finding a way to really bring the heat," he said.
Regardless, for at least one season, Garcia was the main man on the mound in the Rio Grande Valley.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
McAllen High head baseball coach Eliseo Pompa referred to him as the best pure hitter he’d ever seen in all his 34-plus years of coaching.
Alvaro Moreno appreciates the praise, but…
"I just worked hard every year and tried to go out there and do my best," Moreno said.
Mission accomplished.
Since first playing varsity ball at McHi as a freshman, Moreno established himself as one of the best offensive players in South Texas.
His senior season was no different as he hit .461 with 37 RBIs, had 47 hits with nine doubles, four triples and three home runs. He also had more than 200 hits during his four seasons at McHi and owns almost every hitting record at the high school.
He was also named District 30-5A’s Most Valuable Player and was selected to play in the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association’s all-star game in Round Rock.
Oh, and by the way, he was also named the All-Valley Offensive Player of the Year.
"I just love baseball and try to get better all the time," said Moreno, who will play at Cisco Junior College next year. "I especially enjoyed my time at McHi and am going to miss being a Bulldog."
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
At 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, Tres Barrera doesn’t look like a typical freshman. Than again, he doesn’t play baseball like a typical freshman either.
In his first year of high school, the shortstop/pitcher hit .447 with 51 RBIs, 18 doubles, one triple and seven home runs. In the field he had a .965 fielding percentage and committed just two errors. And on the mound he had a 1.19 ERA in 41.1 innings pitched.
Little wonder this phenom earned All-Valley Newcomer of the Year honors.
"I knew going into the season that I was going to have to play a big role because our team only had three returning seniors," he said. "I just played my best and didn’t worry about whether I was a freshman. I just played baseball, which is something I’ve been doing since I was 4 years old."
Still, even his coach/father, Felipe Barrera, was a bit surprised at how quickly his son progressed.
"In my 16 years of coaching, I’ve never seen a freshman start and have as much of an impact as Tres," the elder Barrera said of his son. "I knew he was fundamentally sound, but even I was surprised by how he took over as a team leader."
Thanks to Tres, the Pirates surged to a 27-7 record and won their first league title since 2004.
Unfortunately, the Pirates won’t have either Barrera around next season. Coach Barrera recently accepted an assistant football job at Sharyland High School and his son will follow him.
"I will miss Hidalgo, but I’m looking forward to playing at Sharyland," Tres said. "I’m looking forward to playing for Coach Bickerton and playing in District 30-5A. It should be fun."
ALL-VALLEY FIRST TEAM
With a 28-6 overall record, it’s no wonder the All-Valley first team is dominated by a bevy of Brownsville Lopez Lobos.
Leading the charge is first-team third baseman Carlos Rodriguez, who was named District 32-5A’s Most Valuable Player. He is joined by second baseman Justin Granado, utility player Mague Trevino and, last but not least, shortstop Beto Rodriguez, who was league MVP in 2009.
Rick Alanis of Mission Veterans, who was named to the all-state first team, rounds out the infield at first base. He hit an impressive .593 on the season and was also District 32-4A’s Offensive MVP.
On the mound, the first team is led by La Joya aces Lupe Lopez and Adrian Garza, who combined for 16 wins in 2010. Sharyland’s Mike Medrano rounds out the first-team pitchers.
Behind the dish, Medrano’s battery mate at Sharyland, junior Erik Garcia, is the team’s catcher.
Harlingen South’s Jacob Anderson is the team’s designated hitter.
Finally, the outfield consists of Anthony Luna of La Joya Palmview, Christian Alvarado of Edinburg and Weslaco sophomore Marcus Mendiola.
ALL-VALLEY SELECTIONS
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
>> ALEXIS GARZA
School: McAllen High
Position: Pitcher
Grade: Senior
Stats: Was 19-3 in his two years at McHi and finished the 2010 season with a 1.34 ERA with 72 strikeouts and just 17 walks. He also pitched a no-hitter against Brownsville Lopez in the playoff this season and threw a perfect game against McAllen Memorial during his junior season.
Notable: Was a unanimous All-District 30-5A first-team pitcher, was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 44th round of the MLB draft and is committed to the University of New Mexico. Was also an RGV All-Star Sports Awards finalist for Boys Athlete of the Year.
What his coach says: "He was an integral part of our program and a major reason for our success the past couple of years. He was a quiet leader who led by example," Eliseo Pompa.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
>> ALVARO MORENO
School: McAllen High
Position: Shortstop
Grade: Senior
Stats: Hit .461 this season with 37 RBIs. He had 47 hits on the season with nine doubles, four triples and three home runs. He also had more than 200 hits during his four seasons at McHi and owns almost every hitting record at the high school.
Notable: Was MVP in District 30-5A and was selected to play in the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association’s all-star game in Round Rock.
What his coach says: "In all my years of coaching (more than 30 years), Alvaro is the best pure hitter I’ve ever seen and had the privilege to coach. He has a tremendous work ethic and leads by example. He will be missed at McHi," Eliseo Pompa.
PITCHER OF THE YEAR
>> ROLANDO GARCIA
School: PSJA High
Position: Pitcher
Grade: Senior
Stats: Was 10-1 this season with one save and had a 1.66 ERA with 73 strikeouts and four shutouts. He also batted .442 on the season with 41 RBIs.
Notable: Was named league MVP in District 31-5A
What his coach says: "During his four years at PSJA, I saw him improve immensely both physically and mentally. His understanding of the game is outstanding," Steve Flores.
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
>> TRES BARRERA
School: Hidalgo
Position: Shortstop
Grade: Freshman
Stats: Hit .447 on the season with 51 RBIs, 18 doubles, one triple and seven home runs. In the field he had a .965 fielding percentage and committed just two errors all season. On the mound he had a 1.19 ERA in 41.1 innings pitched.
Notable: Was MVP in District 32-3A as just a freshman. Will transfer to Sharyland next season.
What his coach says: "In all my 16 years of coaching, I’ve never seen a freshman start and have as much of an impact as Tres. He really stepped it up," Felipe Barrera
COACH OF THE YEAR
>> ELISEO POMPA
School: McAllen High
Seventh year at McAllen, 27th year as a head coach, 34 years in coaching
Notable: Led McAllen High to its first district title since 1993 and managed to lead the Bulldogs to a No. 1 state ranking.
FIRST TEAM
>> LUPE LOPEZ
School: La Joya High
Position: Pitcher
Grade: Senior
Stats: Was 9-2 this season with a 1.060 ERA in 66 innings pitched with one save. Had seven complete games, allowed just 17 walks and had 100 strikeouts on the season and 274 in his career at La Joya.
Notable: Was a District 30-5A first-team selection in 2009 and 2010.
>> ADRIAN GARZA
School: Ja Joya High
Position: Pitcher
Grade: Senior
Stats: Was 7-3 with a 2.75 ERA in 51 innings of work in 2010. He also had two saves and pitched three shutouts. Finished the season with five complete games, 67 strikeouts and issued just 20 walks.
Notable: Was a 30-5A All-District first-team selection in both 2010 and 2009
>> MIKE MEDRANO
School: Sharyland
Position: Pitcher
Grade: Senior
Stats: Was 8-1 with 1.48 ERA in 61.1 innings of work with 73 strikouts, six complete games and two shutouts.
Notable: Was a District 30-5A All-District first-team selection
>> ERIK GARCIA
School: Sharyland
Position: Catcher
Grade: Junior
Stats: Hit .404 on the season with 41 RBIs, 12 doubles, two triples and 10 home runs. Also had a fielding percentage of .938 and committed just one error.
Notable: A first-team 30-5A All-District pick
>> RICK ALANIS
School: Mission Veterans
Position: First base
Grade: Senior
Stats: Hit .593 with 55 RBIs, 41 runs scores, 18 doubles, seven triples, four home runs, nine stolen bases and only three strike outs. He also had an on-base percentage of .689 and a slugging percentage of 1.136.
Notable: Was named to the all-state first-team and was District 32-4A’s offensive MVP.
>> JUSTIN GRANADO
School: Brownsville Lopez
Position: Second base
Grade: Senior
Stats: Hit .500 with six RBIs and committed only one error at second base all season
Notable: Was a solid pitcher in 2010 as well going 4-1 with a no-hitter. Will play college ball at the University of Texas at Brownsville
>> CARLOS RODRIGUEZ
School: Brownsville Lopez
Position: Third base
Grade: Senior
Stats: Hit .523 with 15 RBIs and 11 stolen bases.
Notable: Had game-winning hit in one-game playoff against Harlingen South in first round of the playoffs. Down 2-0 after five innings, he hit a bases-loaded double to drive in three runs to give Lopez the eventual 4-2 win. Will play college ball at UTB. Was named District 32-5A MVP
>> BETO RODRIGUEZ
School: Brownsville Lopez
Position: Shortstop
Grade: Senior
Stats: Hit .415 with 22 RBIs, two doubles, two triples and three home runs. Also had 18 stolen bases.
Notable: Was named first-team shortstop in District 32-5A and was named league MVP in 2009.
>> ANTHONY LUNA
School: La Joya Palmview
Position: Outfield
Grade: Senior
Stats: He hit .500 on the season (.511 in district play) with a slugging percentage of .604, an on-base percentage of .575 and a fielding percentage of .984.
Notable: Was a unanimous first-team outfield selection in District 30-5A
>> CHRISTIAN ALVARADO
School: Edinburg High
Position: Outfield
Grade: Senior
Stats: Hit .224 in just 28 games with 15 RBIs. His true contribution, however, came in the outfield where he was a defensive gem.
Notable: Named first-team outfielder in District 31-5A and had an extremely productive season despite coming off ankle surgery prior to the 2010 season.
>> MARCUS MENDIOLA
School: Weslaco High
Position: Outfield
Grade: Sophomore
Stats: Hit .385 on the season (.442 in district) with 25 RBIs, 11 doubles and two home runs.
Notable: Was a 32-5A first-team selection
>> JACOB ANDERSON
School: Harlingen South
Position: Designated hitter
Grade: Senior
Stats: Hit .576 on the season with 25 RBIs and 53 runs scores.
Notable: Was named a first-team designated hitter in District 31-5A.
>> MAGUE TREVINO
School: Brownsville Lopez
Position: Utility
Grade: Senior
Stats: Hit .381 with 10 RBIs, five doubles and one home runs.
Notable: Was a first-team All-District catcher from 2007-2009 and a first-team utility player this season. Will play college ball at UTB.
SECOND TEAM
Pitchers: Adrian Amaya, Harlingen South; Dan Garza, San Benito; Edwin Castillo, Los Fresnos
Catcher: DJ Guerrero, Harlingen High
First base: Rolando Cantu, PSJA High
Second base: Zach Flores, Harlingen South
Third base: Noel Cruz, Edinburg North
Shortstop: Casey Klein, Sharyland
Outfield: Roy Falcon, Mission Veterans; Gilbert Gutierrez, PSJA Memorial; Issac Martinez, Mission High
DH: Luis Lerma, PSJA North
Utility: Elias Esquivel, La Feria
