What are your expectations for the baseball team this season?
This season we expect to go strong. Right now we’re taking a slow start and trying to get things together, but we’re going to be playing more as a team and as a family and just have fun. 

What’s differs from last year to this year?
Last year, we had a lot of seniors and there were some good players; this year, we only have three starters back out of the whole team and this is a whole new experience for the whole team and for our coach. Every spot is open for anybody, so everybody’s got to work hard to keep their spot.

Why do you like playing centerfield and how does it fit you?
Centerfield is pretty much in control of the outfield. The outfield is laid back and only has one job: to catch the ball and throw it back to the infield as fast as we can.

Talk about your origins in baseball.
I started playing baseball when I was seven years old. I went to Walmart one day and the [registration for the local baseball league] was there; I asked my mom and dad if they could sign me up and they signed me up. After the first practice, I started loving the game of baseball. It’s just fun to me; hitting the ball, catching the ball and throwing it.

What do you love about baseball? What keeps you coming back?
Baseball is a fun game. It’s a sport [that teaches you to deal with failure]. The game of baseball just brings our passion out. I just like being me. I just love hitting the ball, running to get the ball, you know, just building more confidence and feeling more proud of myself.

Which player in the MLB do you most admire?
I’d say Bryce Harper. Bryce Harper is one of those players that’s strong, talented, and stays humble. During the game, no matter how hard it gets for him, he just keeps playing ball. He doesn’t let people tell him about what he’s doing; he’s just [his self] and he’s playing the game [he] loves.

What are your strengths and weaknesses as a baseball player?
My strongest part of the game is my defense because our responsibility is just to catch the ball and get it in. My weakness is my hitting; it’s kind of a downfall for me. Now, my hitting has gotten better, so I’m proud about that.

Which player in the MLB would you say matches your playstyle the most?
I’d have to say [Yasiel] Puig. It’s just his style; we kind of act the same, play the outfield, are right handed and he’s got a cannon.

What are the most important traits of a successful baseball player?
Never quit. Keep working harder because at the end of the day, nobody cares. You got to keep on working hard everyday.

What are your plans after high school?
I really don’t have a plan for baseball and I don’t have any offers, but there’s more to life than baseball. I’m going to go to college at [Texas A&M – Texarkana], major in business, get a masters in finance and start my career.

What life lessons has baseball taught you?
It taught me not to quit on my journey because by the end of the day, nobody cares about your batting average in high school. My main goal is to take care of my family, work hard and most importantly, praise God because without God, I don’t know where I would be right now. You got to work hard. I remember my sophomore year I came to Texas High; I had to work harder than I did at my old school. In this life, and in baseball, it’s not going to be given to you. You got so many kids here ready to take your spot. So, when you mess up you can’t get down on yourself; you just have to keep going.