Junior first baseman Anthony Perez is having his moment in the sun for Reavis.
But the trajectory of his career actually was altered last year at a tournament in Florida.
“We were down a run and had a guy on at second, and my hitting coach told me to get ready for an at-bat situation,” Perez said, looking back at his turning point. “I got the call to hit.
“It was two or three pitches into it when I hit a ball up the middle to tie the game.”
Reavis coach Kyle McKinley recalled that scenario as, indeed, the moment that Perez went from a bench player to a critical piece for the Rams.
“Anthony was always on the edge of breaking into the starting lineup,” McKinley said. “We had a lot of returnees. He came up with that huge single, and ever since, he’s never left the lineup.”
Perez is hitting .415 with 22 hits, 20 runs and 13 RBIs for the Rams (22-10, 14-3), who saw Tuesday’s crucial South Suburban Red game with Oak Lawn postponed by rain.
Oak Lawn (20-11, 14-4) beat Reavis 7-0 Monday as junior left-hander John Olejniczak ended up pitching a one-hitter with nine strikeouts while driving in a pair of runs for Spartans.
In the meantime, Perez has been a model of persistence and belief for Reavis.
“My success this season, I think, is mostly about my approach to the game,” he said. “I’m not looking to do too much when I go up there. I try to put a hard ball in play and not strike out.”
Senior shortstop Tino Villagomez has witnessed a change in Perez since that pivotal game a year ago.
“He got his chance in Florida and came through,” Villagomez said. “He has done a great job of building trust with the team. He’s somebody we count on. He’s tough, emotional, plays hard.
“You always hear it in the dugout if he’s not playing well. He’s competitive.”
Senior outfielder Isaac Velasco confirmed the quiet and soft-spoken Perez finds his way to make an impact.
“His bat does the talking,” Velasco said. “He’s got the big stick, and don’t let him get hot or it’s trouble for you. Defensively, at first base, he’s just solid.
“Even if you make a bad throw, we can always rely on him.”
At first base, Perez has been an anchor for Reavis’ defense.
“Defensively, he’s just made huge strides,” McKinley said. “He came here as a middle infielder. His play there just shows how much he matured and just really loves the game.”
Perez started playing the game seriously around age 7. He was originally prompted by the example and influence of his father, Carlos.
“From a very early age, my dad was always out back with me, wanting to play catch,” Perez said. “He always wanted to get me and my brother involved.
“I learned from him about the need to prove yourself when you succeed.”
Overcoming the mental hurdle of failure is what every player must confront in baseball, and Perez has been no exception.
“Once failure comes, you realize you have something to prove,” he said. “I think that chance of having to prove something is what’s amazing about the game.
“When I think back to my freshman year, I think about how confident I am. No matter what happens, I’m always out there thinking confidently.”
As part of his preparation before each game, Perez reflects on past performance and goes through points of emphasis. He spent the offseason working on baserunning and arm strength.
If that Florida afternoon last year made him, he only looks forward now.
“I’m a competitive guy and I’m always going to think back to that moment of being up for a chance at a huge RBI,” Perez said. “I never overdo anything. I know how to stay within myself.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
