When sophomore third baseman Jailen Veliz was called up to varsity this season for Yorkville, he realized he was joining a talented team that featured a large veteran presence.
The Foxes returned the vast majority of their production from last spring. Integrating a new, young star into an established group isn’t always the easiest thing to do.
For Veliz, however, it couldn’t have gone any better.
“They took me in like it was nothing,” Veliz said. “I think I was the perfect piece. They trusted me toward the top of the lineup, and we have an amazing lineup up and down.
“I just knew I needed to play my game and do my job. That’s it.”
Veliz has settled into the cleanup spot behind veteran boppers Nate Harris and Kameron Yearsley, having another big game in Tuesday’s 8-3 Southwest Prairie West victory over Oswego East.
While Veliz went 2-for-2 with a run, a double and three RBIs for Yorkville (16-10, 8-3), Yearsley worked four innings for the pitching win and drew four walks offensively. Aaron Klemm doubled and drove in three runs.
Will Bass hit a two-run homer for Oswego East (12-15, 5-6). Mason Palermo went 3-for-4.
Yorkville coach Tom Cerven had no reservations bringing Veliz up and adding him to the mix.
“The kids embraced him right away,” Cerven said. “He’s a ballplayer through and through. He’s had his ups and downs as a sophomore, but over the last month, he’s starting to be more consistent and definitely started to come around and contribute.”
Part of what Cerven pointed to was how Veliz carries himself. Case in point, the natural shortstop moved to a new position — third base — to accommodate senior Jackson Roberts at short.
“He’s a kid that does not lack self-confidence,” Cerven said of Veliz. “He believes in himself. That’s the biggest thing for any ballplayer, let alone an underclassman coming up.
“Just that unwavering confidence where, yeah, I’m going to make mistakes but at the same time I know I’m a good ballplayer and I know I’m going to make more than I’m not.”
Veliz got the scoring started Tuesday. After Yearsley walked and stole second, Veliz singled him in and then scored on Klemm’s double.
It’s exactly what Cerven imagined when he plugged Veliz into the cleanup spot early in the spring.
“A lot of times they’re on base, so I just have to do my job and get them in,” Veliz said.
Bass’ homer in the fourth inning forced a 3-3 tie, but three unearned runs in the bottom of the fourth broke the game open for the Foxes and they added on from there.
“I think we attacked them and held our own,” Oswego East coach Brian Schaeffer said. “Nate is going to hit the ball hard. Kam is going to put the ball in play.
“Eventually, you’re going to have to go after them and attack them and see what you can do.”
Roberts, meanwhile, won a preseason competition for the shortstop job, but Veliz was more than happy to slide over to third.
“I know our middle infield is up there with the best in the state,” Veliz said. “I just have to do my part. We have a really good team, so I just want to do whatever I can to contribute to the team.”
This is the opportunity Veliz wanted. And with the playoffs quickly approaching, he’s right where he needs to be.
“I feel like I was ready for this moment,” Veliz said. “I always wanted it. Even last year, I was itching for it. I got it this year and I was ready.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
