Southeastern University
Various Sources
McAllen High School graduate Nixon signed with the Yankees organization last week as did Kean, who attended Harlingen South. Sanchez signed with the Blue Jays Wednesday.
Since the signing, Nixon went straight into training at the Yankee’s minor league facility in Tampa, Florida.
“The Yankees organization is unreal,” Nixon told Valley Central. “They’re great at developing pitchers, and I’m just really excited to get started on my journey and take the first step.”
Aaron finished his collegiate career at Mississippi State. This season, Nixon had an ERA of 2.66 with 24 strikeouts.
Prior to his time in Starkville, Nixon attended the University of Texas (2021-2022). Nixon embraced the role as closer for the Longhorns, accumulating a total of 14 saves. Texas reached the College World Series in both seasons Nixon was there.He told the broadcaster that even though he gets set for the next step in his baseball career, he never forgot where he came from. Aaron credited the Valley and the entire community for shaping him into the man he is today. Nixon even recalls the memories he made on the diamond at McAllen.
“My sophomore year, I think we were playing in Rio, against Laredo United,” Nixon said. “It was a crazy game three. We hadn’t beaten them in a long time, and we beat them that game. Big team effort. It was just awesome driving back and going on to the next round. Had some great moments...I feel like there’s a lot of good players coming out of the Valley and a lot of good, hard-working people,” said Nixon. “I think it’s a great culture down there, and it definitely shaped me to who I am today.”
Harlingen South's Kean signed as an undrafted free-agent with Yanks after posting a 1-0 record with a 1.93 ERA over 4 2/3 innings this year at the University of Louisiana-Monroe. Kean allowed one run on three hits with no walks and seven strikeouts.
He played one season at Harlingen South before finishing his high school career at Vandergrift in Austin, Texas.
“Being here and seeing all the names on the wall and walking in every day in the minor league clubhouse, it’s just an unreal experience,” Kean said.
Kean’s college career began at Ranger College. Kean was part of the winningest team in program history in 2022, both overall and in conference. The Rangers went 37-22 to qualify for the postseason for the first time since 1983.
Kean ran into injuries at ULM and credits Valley trainer Alejandro Martinez got him ready for this opportunity.
“I would like to thank Alejandro Martinez again,” Kean said. “He just gave me the opportunity to come down to his place and train every single day."
Three Rio Grande Valley baseball players have earned a shot at grabbing the brass ring for a shot at a Major League Baseball career.
Aaron Nixon, from McAllen, and Harlingen's Chris Kean signed free-agent deals with the New York Yankees while JJ Sanchez, of Los Fresnos, signed one with the Toronto Blue Jays.
McAllen High School graduate Nixon signed with the Yankees organization last week as did Kean, who attended Harlingen South. Sanchez signed with the Blue Jays Wednesday.
Since the signing, Nixon went straight into training at the Yankee’s minor league facility in Tampa, Florida.
“The Yankees organization is unreal,” Nixon told Valley Central. “They’re great at developing pitchers, and I’m just really excited to get started on my journey and take the first step.”
Aaron finished his collegiate career at Mississippi State. This season, Nixon had an ERA of 2.66 with 24 strikeouts.
Prior to his time in Starkville, Nixon attended the University of Texas (2021-2022). Nixon embraced the role as closer for the Longhorns, accumulating a total of 14 saves. Texas reached the College World Series in both seasons Nixon was there.He told the broadcaster that even though he gets set for the next step in his baseball career, he never forgot where he came from. Aaron credited the Valley and the entire community for shaping him into the man he is today. Nixon even recalls the memories he made on the diamond at McAllen.
“My sophomore year, I think we were playing in Rio, against Laredo United,” Nixon said. “It was a crazy game three. We hadn’t beaten them in a long time, and we beat them that game. Big team effort. It was just awesome driving back and going on to the next round. Had some great moments...I feel like there’s a lot of good players coming out of the Valley and a lot of good, hard-working people,” said Nixon. “I think it’s a great culture down there, and it definitely shaped me to who I am today.”
Harlingen South's Kean signed as an undrafted free-agent with Yanks after posting a 1-0 record with a 1.93 ERA over 4 2/3 innings this year at the University of Louisiana-Monroe. Kean allowed one run on three hits with no walks and seven strikeouts.
He played one season at Harlingen South before finishing his high school career at Vandergrift in Austin, Texas.
“Being here and seeing all the names on the wall and walking in every day in the minor league clubhouse, it’s just an unreal experience,” Kean said.
Kean’s college career began at Ranger College. Kean was part of the winningest team in program history in 2022, both overall and in conference. The Rangers went 37-22 to qualify for the postseason for the first time since 1983.
Kean ran into injuries at ULM and credits Valley trainer Alejandro Martinez got him ready for this opportunity.
“I would like to thank Alejandro Martinez again,” Kean said. “He just gave me the opportunity to come down to his place and train every single day."
Kean emphasized hard work and trusting the process. “This is a hard sport,” he said. “It’s hard to get out here every single day and succeed, so do the best you can and just stay positive. Keep on working hard and just grinding every day.”
He reported to Tampa, Florida last week as he begins his professional career.
Meanwhile Sanchez, a former Los Fresnos High School pitcher, signed a contract with the Toronto Blue Jays Wednesday.
Sanchez, a southpaw, pitched for Southeastern University for a season. In that time, he was 5-0 with a 1.91 ERA through 37.2 innings. He recorded 65 strikeouts while holding opposing batters to just a .160 average.
A release from Southeastern University stated that one of Sanchez’s highlight appearances was a start against Florida Memorial where he struck out 11 of the 14 batters he faced with just one ball put into play over four innings to help the Fire claim their fourth straight Sun Conference regular season title.
“It means the world to me to go play at the next level,” Sanchez said. “All the hard work pays off when you dedicate yourself to it. Do the little things right and good things will happen.”
He will be assigned to one of the Blue Jays minor league affiliates in the coming days.
He reported to Tampa, Florida last week as he begins his professional career.
Meanwhile Sanchez, a former Los Fresnos High School pitcher, signed a contract with the Toronto Blue Jays Wednesday.
Sanchez, a southpaw, pitched for Southeastern University for a season. In that time, he was 5-0 with a 1.91 ERA through 37.2 innings. He recorded 65 strikeouts while holding opposing batters to just a .160 average.
A release from Southeastern University stated that one of Sanchez’s highlight appearances was a start against Florida Memorial where he struck out 11 of the 14 batters he faced with just one ball put into play over four innings to help the Fire claim their fourth straight Sun Conference regular season title.
“It means the world to me to go play at the next level,” Sanchez said. “All the hard work pays off when you dedicate yourself to it. Do the little things right and good things will happen.”
He will be assigned to one of the Blue Jays minor league affiliates in the coming days.
12 comments:
Good luck!
Congratulations JJ Sanchez, good luck and God bless. Proud of you. And best wishes to the other 2 young men
good job, but still an astros avanico...
Minor leaguers.
going nowhere.
you read it here!
July 29, 2023 at 11:55 AM
Estupido!! they are already pros, baboso pendejo, something you will never be YOU ARE just a pinche mojado mamom. at 11:55AM.
Congrats..so Proud of you..
Congrats to the 3 young men for believing in themselves and going forward, climbing the ladder, mo matter what. Do not forget to thank those who had
some part of your life, like your coaches and teachers and parents. I know that I succeeded in my career because of "one" coach who took me under her
wing and placed high expectations on me. Go forward, play as a member of a
team, and make sure that you do your best in all you do.
You can now join the ranks of valley atheles like Tony Barbosa, Charlie Vaugn
and others I cannot recall as easy.
11:55 Don’t be a hater Furthermore, your ignorance is abhorrent, these are some young men that are trying their best to achieve their dream and they are now one step closer. If they make it all the way , good for them, and if they dont , we will still be proud of them . We should applaud our youth for trying to succeed and be a role model for others. ( Instead of turning to drugs and violence ). I understand we all have an opinion and you expressed yours but unfortunately yours missed the mark by a mile. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK BOYS AND MAKE THE RGV PROUD!!! My opinion
Making a professional sports roster is very difficult, and just getting into the minors is a great accomplishment. One more step/ push and you’re there!! So why don’t we give our boys some positive re enforcement/ vibes instead of just bluntly giving them some gloomy , negative vibes( 11:55 am). Im sure they’ve given their blood, sweat and tears to get this far, so i think the least we can do is cheer them on and wish them the best of luck !! GIVE THEM HELL BOYS , MAKE THE RGV PROUD!!!!
That's great and I wish these young men all the luck in the world. But let's not harp on sports as being the way out of poverty like the blacks. Seriously, how many Hispanics are making real money from playing any professional sport? Education is the tool towards success. This is something everyone tends to place on the back burner, that's why are youth score so low on academic tests.
And you are correct 6:23 EDUCATION should always be the first and number one priority to succeed in life. In my comments i spoke of sports since that was the subject in the article, but you are absolutely correct , it is of upmost importance for students to focus on their education/ schoolwork for a brighter future.
Verlander to Houston. World Series locked up for the Astros.... ANY BETS???
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