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Austin Dean - CJ Hinojosa - Tyler Coker
BY RANDY BYERS © COPYRIGHT 2009 Houston5ABaseball.com
What you ask? Just a couple months removed from winning the Perfect Game, 15U National Championship, the Banditos Baseball Club is back in the news and in a
big way.
A local tournament hosted by Texas Prospects Baseball Academy this past weekend has prompted three of Deleon's Banditos players to commit to the University of Texas to play their College Baseball. What is special about this? 1. It's the University of Texas, a perennial power among division 1 baseball programs. 2. All three players who have committed are underclassmen. Another first for Houston area select organizations.
Austin Dean (2012) is a big hitting infielder out of Klein Collins Highs School who was instrumental in the Banditos 15U PG National Championship. Don Dean, father of Austin says of the Banditos, "Austin was very fortunate starting with the Banditos at 8 years old and was on the very 1st Banditos 8U team and the 1st Banditos 8U Championship."
CJ Hinojosa (2012) is a sweet swinging, leather flashing, middle infielder out of Klein Collins High School who was instrumental in the USA Baseball National 15U winning the 2009 World Championship. Patrick Navarro, stepfather of CJ who has been with the Banditos since the age of 9, says about the Banditos. "There's not another organization out there that gives you the opportunity the Banditos do." Ray works hard for these kids and has always sought out the highest level of competition for the players".
Tyler Coker (2011), is a fast, gap to gap hitting outfielder out of Atascocita High School who was instrumental in Atascocita's big season and successful play-off run in 2009. That is now 4 Banditos who have committed to the University of Texas in 2009. The Banditos big hitting, 2B, Erich Weiss, Brenham, 2010, had already committed to Texas earlier in the summer.
Back in July of 2009, the Banditos had three players, Cory Geisler, CJ Hinojosa, Courtney Hawkins, from their National Championship 15U team selected to participate in USA Baseball's National Team Trials. A first for Houston area select teams. All three of those players made the 15U National Team Roster that won the World Championship over Cuba.
In past years, the Banditos Baseball Club has been known for grooming players 6-14 years of age into advanced players at their respective levels only to see those players move on to other organizations and continue their success with skills refined and learned while members of the Banditos.
Three years ago, Deleon, and his brother Robert, made the decision to go the distance. In other words, provide a program for these 15U to 18U players to continue to compete on the highest level and assist them in finding the perfect fits for their college careers.
In those three years the Banditos have become one of the most prolific 15U to 18U programs in the Houston area. Dozens of Banditos have moved on to college programs while many more who are still in High School and have committed. Many former Banditos find themselves in the professional baseball ranks working their way through the minors. One of those players, David Macias, who started playing with the Banditos at the age of 9, and was a member of the Woodlands, Vanderbilt, and currently Chicago Cubs, was quick to offer his opinion on the Banditos and what they did for him. "The Banditos is where I learned to play serious baseball" Macias said. David credits Robert Deleon, one of Texas High School Baseball's greatest players, for many of his superior fielding techniques. "It's where my serious baseball career started and has helped guide me through high school, college, and in to the pros" Macias said. They're doing something right that's for sure."
Ray Deleon Credits other elite programs such as the Houston Heat, Kyle Chapman, and the Columbia Angels for getting the ball rolling in the showcase baseball in Houston and says "I just want to compete" and compete his Banditos have. When asked about criticizm from some individuals in the baseball world, Deleon just smiles and says, "Hey, they don't have to like me as long as they like my players. That's what I'm here for." Many in the organization compare Deleon in select baseball to that of Rocky Manuel in the UIL. "Nobody works harder for his players" says Patrick Navarro of Deleon.
Deleon and the Banditos take pride in the fact that players like Austin Dean who has been with the program since the age of 8, and CJ Hinojosa with the Banditos since 9, are reaping such early success. "It certainly gives the younger players in the program, and perspective players for that matter, reason to believe that their futures could very well be bright for those willing to put in the work" Deleon says.
Even with today's big news at Texas Prospects Baseball Academy, there is even more good news on the way. In between calls from schools and recruiters, Deleon made note that the Banditos have many more players who fit the mold of high quality, division 1 caliber players, which have yet to commit, and with six 18U teams you can expect many good things to come for Banditos players.
