By Landon Stilz, Blue Sox broadcaster
With the start of the Blue Sox season just around the corner, the players are ready to take the field and the fans are ready to take their seats. But there are many unknowns about who and what fans can expect from the roster this season.
Your shortstop this year, high schooler Yomar Carreras, is just as ready as you fans are. But what can you expect out of the youngster this season?
“They can expect a smile from me. Whether I’m doing good or bad, I’ll always be smiling,” said Carreras.
That’s how the New Jersey native plays the game — with a big smile. Whether he hits a home run, strikes out, or commits an error, he will always have that smile.
“It’s part of the game,” Carreras said. “Everybody does it no matter who it is. Whether it is Hall of Famers, high school players, or college players, it happens. If you let it get to you, then you’re not going to have very much success in this game.”
Carreras is from North Brunswick, NJ. The high schooler is ranked 264th nationally. In his home state, he’s the ninth-ranked prospect and the number two shortstop. Carreras is committed to Rutgers University.
The Blue Sox are getting an amazing switch-hitter in Carreras. In his junior year season, he hit .411 with nine doubles and six triples. This earned him a Greater Middlesex Conference All-Star award.
Hitting from both sides is complicated, but Carreras has perfected his approach to it to make hitting just a bit easier.
“I try to keep the same approach,” Carreras said. “Up the middle, right center, and then just kinda pull whatever comes at me. Then sit on the fastball because the harder he throws, the harder I’m going to hit it.”
But for Carreras, what matters this season is getting better. Whether it be defensively or offensively, the shortstop wants to see improvement. His most important focus is to hit better than he did in high school.
“Last season I hit over 400. This season I want to hit better than that,” Carreras said.
That’s the kind of player Carreras is. He is someone who is going to go out on that diamond and give everything he has every single at-bat and out.