As one of the few current high school baseball players mixing it up with the big boys in the California Collegiate League, Jacob Cano isn’t just holding his own—he’s lighting it up.
As of July 25, the California Wahoos’ second baseman and soon-to- be St. Joseph senior is hitting .345 and leading the team in RBIs.
“I’m just seeing the ball this summer and being more aggressive. It’s been working,” Cano said. “These pitchers are really good, and I’m lucky to be batting in the spot I am.”
Cano, who lives in Nipomo, said his role on the Wahoos is to come through with the timely hit and help out his older teammates any way he can. His summer ball success has given him the confidence that he can move on to the college level.
“It’s a huge honor to even play in this league,” Cano said. “It’s amazing playing with these guys. They’ve taught me so much.”
Wahoos team organizer Vince Sagisi said Cano has shown his consistency all summer and has emerged as the team’s best hitter.
“For a high school kid that’s competing against college guys, I’d like to commend him for a job well done,” Sagisi said.
A top all-around athlete at St. Joe’s, Cano also won All League honors as a basketball player last season. As a third baseman for the Knights, Cano hit .415, helping the team to a second-place finish in the Los Padres League.
St. Joseph has yet to win a league title in Cano’s three seasons on varsity. With his more experienced bat in the lineup, Cano hopes 2010 will be a different story.
“I really want to win the league title and go far in CIF,” Cano said. “I’m really hungry for it right now.”
This article appears in Jul 30 – Aug 6, 2009.