The Times baseball player of the yr: James | College News
Last summer season, James Tronstein of Harvard-Westlake was struggling at the plate. Then got here stunning news before his senior yr: He didn’t make the listing of 40 finalists for the U18 national baseball staff despite profitable gold medals for the U15 staff.
“He was pressing,” coach Jared Halpert said. “He had really good at-bats but wasn’t getting results. Credit goes to his maturity, ‘How do I get better?’”
His mental adjustment on how to react to failure, mixed with a conditioning program that led him to lose 10 kilos and change into sooner and stronger, created a spring atmosphere sending him into rarefied air.
The 6-foot, 170-pounder batted .531 with 52 hits and 10 home runs while making the transition from heart fielder to shortstop. Everyone related with the program now calls him the best hitter in college historical past.
For an particular person efficiency that separated him from all others, Tronstein has been chosen The Times’ player of the yr for the 2026 season. The Vanderbilt commit and doable high draft choose has been a four-year varsity starter. He also was named the Gatorade state player of the yr.
One of the classes Tronstein said he realized is that “baseball is a game of failure. How am I going to handle that and set myself up for success?”
“He started evaluating situations,” Halpert said.
He also turned a vocal chief, having been taken under the wings by former stars Bryce Rainer, Tommy Bridges and Miguel Villegas. His fire during video games and his assist of teammates got here through loud and clear
He credited Halpert for instructing him about baseball and life.
“Coach Halpert has a huge impact on my life,” Tronstein said. “He’s made me into the man I am today.”
Tronstein helped Harvard-Westlake win the Mission League title and attain the Southern Section Division 1 semifinals before shedding 3-1 to eventual champion St. John Bosco.
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