By ANDREW CRUM | THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD
From his first season to his senior campaign, Lopez’s Alex Olguin has blossomed into a complete player.
Olguin developed into a pinpoint control pitcher on the mound, a defensively skilled shortstop and a dangerous hitter at the plate.
He received many accolades along the way, including the District 32-5A MVP this season. Now he adds another honor to his tremendous senior season by being named The Brownsville Herald’s All-Metro Baseball Most Valuable Player.
“I just want to thank God, He guided me through the year and helped me play this game I’ve loved to play since I was a little kid,” Olguin said. “I’ve never gone for awards, but I wanted to get the MVP. I gave everything I had this season and it paid off in the end.”
Olguin was impressive on the field as he was at the plate, especially during the 14 games of district play. The senior right-hander was 6-1 with a 0.29 ERA with 56 strikeouts and a 0.930 fielding percentage in the middle of the infield. He predominantly hit leadoff and finished with a .525 average with two home runs, 27 runs scored, 21 RBIs and 23 stolen bases as the Lobos finished second in District 32-5A and earned a postseason berth, the school’s first since 2013.
Olguin had many fond memories of his final high school season, but none greater than reaching the postseason after coming up just short during the previous three years.
“Finally making it to the playoffs,” he said. “This year was special. We have amazing coaches, amazing teammates … a lot of young guys came up and helped us, the five seniors. I will remember going to the playoffs.”
Despite a short postseason trip, it was a great way for Olguin to finish his career.
“It’s been an honor for me to see Alex grow as a player and as a person,” Lopez coach Victor Martinez said. “He has a great heart and wants to lead by example. Those tools keep sharpening every year. He makes such phenomenal plays, he keeps amazing us.”
From the start, his potential was easy to see during his freshman season and he finished as the All-Metro Newcomer of the Year. Now Olguin caps it off with a pair of MVP honors before he continues his baseball career at Texas Southern University and its NCAA Division I program that have now won back-to-back conference championships.
“He’s a five-tool player, he can do it all,” Martinez said. “I think that’s what makes him special.”
Olguin credited his parents, his girlfriend and his grandparents for their support to help him throughout his time at Lopez, especially during his sophomore year when his grandfather passed away.
“These past two years I’ve played without him and I know he’s watching from up there,” Olguin said. “I’ve always dedicated my games to him. Every time I go to bat I point to the sky because I know he’s watching.”
Martinez will miss Olguin next season, but knows the impact that the standout has left on the Lobos program.
“He helped us reach the postseason and we won a playoff game,” the Lopez coach said. “We have to keep building from that. Our goals are higher because of him.”
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.
The Brownsville Herald’s 2018 All-Metro Baseball Team
MVP: Alex Olguin, Lopez
Offensive Player of the Year: George Villafranca, Los Fresnos
Defensive Player of the Year: Michael Gomez, Rivera
Pitcher of the Year: Noe Guerrero, Hanna
Newcomer of the Year: Rafael Capistran, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
Coach of the Year: Victor Martinez, Lopez
First Team
Pitcher: Victor Montemayor, Los Fresnos
Pitcher: Jose Martinez, Port Isabel
Catcher: Aaron Recio, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
First base: Cristian Gonzalez, Hanna
Second base: Josiah Garza, Port Isabel
Third base: Cristian Holloway, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
Shortstop: Justin Anaya, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
Outfield: Jay Medina, Hanna
Outfield: Joseph Munoz, Los Fresnos
Outfield: JJ Sanchez, Los Fresnos
DH/Utility: Jesus De Leon, Lopez
Second team
Pitcher: Cristian Hernandez, Los Fresnos
Pitcher: Danny Alvear, Rivera
Catcher: Marco Sanchez, Hanna
First base: Hugo Sanchez, Los Fresnos
Second base: Jonathan Castro, Hanna
Third base: Diego Gonzalez, Rivera
Shortstop: Arturo Trevino, St. Joseph Academy
Outfield: Christian Rodriguez, Pace
Outfield: Jeremy Martinez, Port Isabel
Outfield: Angel Gomez, Pace
DH/Utility: Cristo Sauceda, Porter