Aaron Montealvo arrived at the Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy at Mercy Street Sports Complex, Presented by Toyota, on Saturday, September 27, looking to make a second run at the Jr. Home Run Derby. A year ago, Montealvo hit five homers to win the 12U division of the event at the Academy, but did not make it out of the regional round.

“Last year when I lost in the second round, I was like, ‘I’m going to come back and get it next year,’” Montealvo recalled.  

And the eighth grader from Austin Middle School did that in a big way. Despite moving up to the 14U division and hitting on a bigger field, Montealvo blasted nine homers in the first round to advance to the second round of the competition. In round two, he connected for 19 homers.

“I’ve been working these events for 12 years, and that is a record in my book,” Texas Rangers Director of Youth Academy and Youth Baseball/Softball Programs Juan Leonel Garciga announced to the assembled fans as Montealvo walked off the field to a round of applause following the display.

Montealvo surprised even himself with the performance; his goal was to hit 10 homers.

“My batting stance has gotten better. Instead of stepping out I step in now,” Montealvo said of the difference from last year.

Now his goal for the next round is to beat Saturday’s record.  

Academy participant Angel Gomez advanced to the second round in the 12U division.

“It’s going to be way harder than this one and I’ve got to get ready,” Gomez said of the challenge ahead.

The sixth grader at Uplift Heights also plays on the Academy’s 12U wood bat team.

Both Montealvo and Gomez will now represented the Rangers Academy at the regional round of the Jr. Home Run Derby (Jr.HRD), a free national program for boys and girls 14 years old and younger which provides players from across the country an opportunity to participate in an exciting home run hitting contest.

The program includes three levels of competition – top performers from the Local level advance to the Regional level and ultimately, the National Finals prior to the MLB Home Run Derby during All-Star Week.

School Schedules

Another regular season of L.G. Pinkston High School baseball and softball teams and Sunset High School baseball team calling the Academy home is in the books. 

Sunset, which boasted several of the top local hitters this season, will host a home playoff game against Woodrow Wilson on Oates Field at the Academy today, Friday, May 3 at 4:00 p.m.  

Dallas ISD Middle School Baseball and Softball championship tournaments will be played at the Academy tomorrow, Saturday, May 4.