BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | STAFF WRITER
ALAMO — PSJA High’s biggest star may be slightly hard to recognize.
That’s because sophomore Devon de Leon is the only one on the field with a mask, as the catcher.
When de Leon first started catching, he didn’t really like it. Now, when the 6-foot-2 sophomore looks back, he can’t believe he didn’t immediately love the position.
“Growing up, I just started to work on (the position), and I found the love for it,” de Leon said. “I just love the game from back there. You are a captain back there. You can see the whole field, from left to right. I love the game, and I love the position.”
Now one of the best catchers in the Valley, De Leon has been catching junior pitcher Cheke Marroquin since the two were around 11 years old.
They developed a bond that has allowed the Bears (10-7-4, 6-2) to flourish this year. Marroquin has stepped into the ace role and been lights out on the mound. De Leon leads the team with three home runs and has been a dominant force on offense and defense.
“Cheke is a real strong character guy,” PSJA High coach Marco Guajardo said. “He’s the kind of guy who wants the ball in big moments. … Devon doesn’t play the way you would expect for his age. He actually grew a lot more (this summer), and he is still only a sophomore. Everybody thinks he’s a senior. He is just going to get that much better over the next couple years.”
De Leon is hitting .433 this year. He has 26 RBIs, four doubles, two triples and the aforementioned three homers. Marroquin is the only other Bears hitter with a home run this season. But Marroquin is known for his dominant arm. He has raised his velocity to the low 90s, and he has improved his location, as well. Marroquin is 2-3 this year with a 3.20 ERA, 38 strikeouts and just 15 walks.
“Our relationship just continued to grow as we played together, growing up,” de Leon said. “It just built up from then. That chemistry really means a lot to the team.”
Guajardo said he can call different pitches in two-strike counts because he doesn’t have to worry about de Leon giving up free bases via a dropped third strike.
De Leon displayed a strong arm last year that allowed him to mow down many would-be base stealers. He spent much of his time during the offseason working on improving his quickness against steal attempts.
De Leon was just as committed to his offense. He said he took about 300 swings every day.
After losing back-to-back games to Edinburg Vela and Edinburg North this season, PSJA High needed a win over PSJA Southwest to get back on track. The Bears won 10-0 and are eager to exact revenge for their two losses.
“The emotions were really crazy,” de Leon said. “That (game against Vela) was my first home loss. It was heartbreaking. Our fans were disappointed. We just have to keep our heads high and keep playing.”
“It happens,” Guajardo added, referencing the losses. “We are still in the mix. We are just one game behind. In the end, I think this will be good for the team. A little wake-up call, and it kind of humbled us a little bit.”
De Leon learned a lot about building relationships with pitchers during his freshman year. He knew most of the staff already, but he wasn’t as familiar with senior Marc Castillo.
“I knew who he was, but I wasn’t really close with him,” de Leon said. “At the beginning of my freshman year, we were kind of distant. And then during the season, Mark and I got really close. We became brothers, and I know I will always stick up for him, and he will do the same.”
That experience will prove vital as de Leon’s career progresses and he becomes one of the older players on the team. But for now, de Leon is still a kid at heart.
“We call him a big teddy bear,” Guajardo said.
“My favorite color is pink,” de Leon admitted, “and I like to eat a lot of sweets.”