SAN JUAN — PSJA High senior infielder Diego Gomez put pen to paper and signed a national letter of intent to continue his baseball career at UTRGV on Tuesday at PSJA High School.
Watching PSJA High greats before him sign to play college baseball inspired Gomez to chase the dream himself, he said. He made it official with family, friends, coaches and teammates by his side .
“This is one of the biggest days of my life and a dream come true ever since I was growing up,” Gomez said. “As a kid, I dreamed of being up here one day, watching all the guys sign before me like (former PSJA High players) Jacob (Sanchez), Devin (De Leon), Viggo (Lopez), all those guys, and to finally be up here, it’s just amazing and I couldn’t be more blessed.”
Gomez, a four-year letterman who started his high school career as a shy freshman, has developed into a dynamic weapon in the Bears’ lineup, PSJA High head coach Marco Guajardo said.
“Diego has always been the type of kid that works hard on his own. When we first got him, he already had that in him,” he said. “He comes from a good family. He’s that guy after practice that continues to train. He’s always taking cuts. He’s just so strong and can hit the ball a mile when he gets a hold of it and he’s shown it. He’s grown so much since his freshman year and is one of the leaders on the team.”
Gomez grew up attending Texas-Pan American and UTRGV baseball games as a fan. Now, he’s thrilled to have the opportunity to throw on a Vaqueros jersey as a player.
“I’ve been a big fan growing up my whole life. That’s the hometown school, I couldn’t be more excited to play for a school I grew up rooting for and I’m very blessed,” Gomez said. “Coach (Derek) Matlock’s building a great program here in the Valley and I’m excited to join a great group of guys and help them win.”
Gomez is graduating with an associate degree in business from South Texas College and will pursue a bachelor’s degree in business at UTRGV.
“I have to thank my amazing parents for all their support. My mom for being my No. 1 fan and my dad being my best coach, my mentor, he’s taught me almost everything I know,” Gomez said. “All my coaches, too. Coach Guajardo, Coach (Matthew) Benavides, all my travel ball coaches, all my teammates. I really owe it all to them and I wouldn’t be here without them.”