By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
What a difference one year made for David Anaya of Brownsville Veterans Memorial.
After Anaya earned the All-Metro newcomer award as a freshman, his sophomore season was a struggle.
So it seems only fitting that Anaya put last season behind him to lead the Chargers to a District 32-6A crown with a 13-1 mark during district play. The junior shortstop hit a team-high .421 with 32 hits on the season, including two doubles, two triples and four home runs, scored 23 runs, had 25 RBIs and drew 12 walks.
After also being named the top player in the district, Anaya has been named The Brownsville Herald’s 2015 All-Metro Baseball Most Valuable Player.
“It’s awesome,” he said. “I’ve been playing in the summer quite a bit, and the hard work is finally all paying off. I’ve faced good competition in the summer, so it’s been easier on the field here. That level gets us ready (for the season).”
First-year Brownsville Veterans coach Joey Benavides certainly could tell the difference.
“You could tell David matured a lot this year,” Benavides said. “He looked more confident at the plate. I tell him to go up there and have fun, no matter what happens. He definitely went up to bat with more confidence and less on his shoulders. I think last year he felt he had a lot of weight on his shoulders, like he had to do it. But this year he felt comfortable, even his swing seemed really smooth.”
Anaya plays travel baseball with San Antonio Sliders during the summer. He faced teammate Fred Villarreal when he pitched for the Houston Banditos last summer during a tournament. It helped build his confidence when he fared well against one of the top pitchers in the area.
“I played against Fred, and he’s probably one of the best pitchers in the Valley,” Anaya said. “I got motivated because I hit pretty good off him. If I can hit off him, I can hit off anybody else.”
With that experience, more offseason work and a longer practice schedule this season, the junior shortstop regained his form.
“I think that’s what led to my successful season,” he said regarding the confidence returning to his game and within himself.
Anaya hopes to continue that success next season.
“Our team goals are the same as everyone’s, to make it to state,” he said. “But we’ll take it one game at a time. We just won district, so everybody’s going to be shooting for us. We’re going to have a target on our back.
“We have to take one game at a time and play hard.”
Benavides expects Anaya to be more of a leader as a senior.
“A lot of the younger kids look up to him,” Benavides said. “I think next year he’ll be more mature, mature enough to (be more vocal) and talk to the young ones, take one under his belt and show him the ropes. I think he’ll do a good job doing that.”
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.
2015 Brownsville Herald’s All-Metro Baseball Team
Superlatives
Most Valuable Player
David Anaya, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
Pitcher of the Year
Fred Villarreal, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
Newcomer of the Year
Alex Olguin, Lopez
Coach of the Year
Barton Bickerton, Porter
First team
Pitcher: Jose Perez, Porter
Pitcher: Luis Acosta, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
Catcher: SantiagoMoody, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
First base: Pete Garcia, Port Isabel
Second base: Javier Pena, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
Third base: Noe Solis, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
Shortstop: Chris Munoz, Porter
Outfield: Felix Ledezma, Porter
Outfield: IsraelLambarri, Hanna
Outfield: Javier Hernandez, Port Isabel
DH/Utility: Marky Ordonez, Lopez
Second team
Pitcher: Alec Buitron, Hanna
Pitcher: Jose Martinez, Port Isabel
Catcher: Mario Andrade, Pace
First base: Jorge Montelongo, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
Second base: Roy Sauceda, Hanna
Third base: Jesus Torres, Porter
Shortstop: Miguel Gonzalez, Los Fresnos
Outfield: Baltazar Guzman, BrownsvilleVeterans Memorial
Outfield: George Villafranca, Los Fresnos
Outfield: Joaquin Garcia, Rivera
DH/Utility: Keegan Danielson, Los Fresnos