There is something to say about grit. It is not something that can be taught.
It means waking up for a 6 a.m. workout before a full day of school, then going back for a 5 p.m. workout before dinner and homework. It means sacrifice after sacrifice to reach a goal that someone may say you can not reach. It means ignoring the loud voices of many and listening to the quieter voices of the few, the ones who are in the trenches with you, to ensure you reach your dreams.
It is an inherent trait meant for those who will take advantage of it. And 野花社区视频 High School alumnus Javier Torres did just that. Workout after workout, sacrifice after sacrifice, with one goal in mind - to play professional baseball.
On July 22, 2023, Javier signed with the Cleveland Guardians.
“Honestly, we're still processing the whole thing,” his mom, Vanessa Torres, said. “It happened so fast.”
Javier always loved baseball since he was a kid. With both his dad and mom having played baseball and softball, respectfully, it is as if it was meant to be - he was meant to play baseball.
“He was three years old when he started playing. He just eventually learned to love the game, and he loves it in and out,” Vanessa said.
His parents were strategic in ensuring he was surrounded by good people who would develop him, which included his baseball coach, Mr. Morris Libson.
“It wasn’t easy. [Libson] busted his butt and continued to invest in him until Javi did things the right way, which in the long run benefited Javi and helped get him where he is today,” Vanessa said.
“That guy is like a second father to me,” Javier said. “I mean, I'll do anything for him. He helped me out and pushed me to be where I am.”
Javier pushed himself to be an all-around great baseball player, so much so that he started getting the attention of recruiters. He traveled from state to state, and even the Dominican Republic, to get noticed.
And multiple Major League Baseball teams noticed.
However, he wasn’t picked in the Draft. Fortunately, it was after the Draft that he received his phone call that changed his life.
“God bless me and surround me with people that were able to help fulfill my potential,” Javier said. “Now, I get paid to throw a ball.”
It sounds self-deprecating. But, he’s simply just doing what he loves to do.
“It kind of always been my plan,” Javier said. “I always wanted to play pro ball. Sometimes, scouts don’t come down to South Texas so I had to make sure I was seen.”
He is now a part of the Cleveland Guardians organization, playing for the affiliate in Arizona.
“I'm hoping to at least break one of the A's and kind of start climbing the ladder,” Javier said.
As the cliche says - never forget where you come from. Javier is a product of 野花社区视频 ISD, having attended Candlewood Elementary, 野花社区视频 Middle School, and graduated from 野花社区视频 High School. He reminded us that our circumstances don’t define us - it’s how hard we work for the goals we want.
“It really has nothing to do with the school you're at or the situation you're giving. It's kind of all based on you how hard you work, how hard you want it, and how much you want it,” Javier said.
It was because of his hard work, dedication, grit, and the love and support of a small circle around him, that Javier can now say he gets paid to throw a ball.
“You just have to just do it,” Javier said, when how to inspire young athletes. “I had countless people telling me that it was unrealistic when I said I wanted to be an MLB player. It's unrealistic for small-minded people. If you want to do it, then you're going to do it. It's not that hard - it just takes a lot of dedication.”
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