There’s something in the air at Cabrillo—it seems like every team on campus is young, talented, with huge hopes and a steady-handed coach along to guide them. The Jags’ baseball squad is no different. Helmed by second-year coach Erick Bryant, who was an All-CIF player at Poly and coached freshman baseball and football there before heading across the bridge, the Jags are already much-improved from a few years ago. They were a combined 9-27 in the two seasons prior to Bryant’s arrival, and while they finished sixth last season, more than one coach told us the Jags are a much harder game than they once were.
“This season, we’re already becoming a family,” says Bryant. “We’re molding and gelling as a team, and for us, that’s what it’s all about.” After a solid run through Winter ball, with a big win over Banning, Bryant has the campus believing, bolstering his ranks by more than triple what they were last season. “We have a 25-player roster now,” says Bryant. “It was never more than 12 or 13 before.”
With that deeper roster comes more talent, and more options—the Jags are 3-1 after the start of nonleague play, and are hoping to surprise some teams this season. If their young cats come through the way Bryant wants them to, we wouldn’t be surprised if they did.
THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH
Wesley Madera, UTILITY – As a freshman, Madera is already the Jags’ best hitter, banging an impressive .625 through nonleague play, with an OBP of .700. He’s a little guy with a big swing, and his continued success will be crucial to the Jags’ chances. Madera is following in the footsteps of his older brother, Jose, who graduated in the Spring and who was Cabrillo’s only all-leaguer last season.
Ramiro Rosalez, P – A tall, muscular junior, Rosalez was on the varsity squad last year, and his coach has high hopes for him this season. Through nonleague he has an ERA of 0.8 with four strikeouts.
Luis Tarrazes, SS – Tarrazes leads the Jags so far in stolen bases, and coach Bryant expects that to be the case at the end of the season, too. He’s another freshman, with quick wheels and a solid bat (.333 through preseason). “He has just a great amount of talent,” says Bryant. “I can see him going a long ways.”
QUOTABLE QUOTES
“I came over here to try and build some structure—it’s just like building a house. Last year we laid down the foundation, and right now we’re putting the frame up. It’s about building consistency and getting better each day—I think we’re getting there. We got a ways to go, but we’re headed in the right direction.” – Jags coach Erick Bryant on starting from scratch.