By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
Alex Olguin of Lopez is a freshman by age, but his skills on the diamond are far more mature.
Olguin led the Lobos with a .529 batting average during district play, the third-highest average in District 32-6A. The freshman had 18 hits — including four doubles and a triple in 34 at-bats — scored 13 runs, walked 10 times, had seven RBIs and stole five bases.
For his standout first season, Olguin has been named The Brownsville Herald’s 2015 All-Metro Baseball Newcomer of the Year.
“It feels pretty good,” he said. “All the work you put in during the whole year, it feels pretty good to come out at the very end. I don’t go for accomplishments like this, but it’s good to get recognized for some awards.”
For Lopez coach Victor Martinez, the talent was unmatched.
“(Alex) just stood out among a lot of players, not just freshmen,” he said. “All the coaches in the district were surprised to see such a young kid doing great things. Alex was just a great addition to our team.”
Olguin said his teammates made him feel like a part of the team, but his work ethic showed his desire.
“My teammates helped me out a lot with that, they accepted me, but in practices they would push me hard,” Olguin said. “My dad and my coaches helped me a lot, too. In practices, being the first one here, and the last one out. That’s the way it’s always been, no matter what, 100 percent.”
Olguin pitched in six district games this season, starting three of them, including two complete games and two shutouts. He was 2-1, pitched 26 innings, allowed 12 runs (five earned) on 23 hits, walked 13, struck out 33 and finished with an ERA of 1.35.
Martinez believes his freshman is going to keep improving and possibly play at the next level.
“We’re always trying to push him to do better and better,” Martinez said. “We told him we’re not satisfied where he’s at, he has to be better and has to improve every year in and out. We’re very proud of him and our expectations of him are very high, but I’m sure he’ll get there.”
Olguin said he must provide leadership next season.
“We had (senior) Robert (Gomez), so somebody’s going to have to step up because he was a really good captain for us,” he said. “I would like to do that.”
The Lobos’ coach said Olguin already has earned plenty of respect.
“He’s a quiet guy, but this year he led by example,” Martinez said. “A lot of the time you don’t have to talk to get them to follow you. A lot of kids respect him, not only in our school but around town. They respect his game, his attitude and discipline toward the game.”
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.