Athlete spotlight
Casey Lopez played baseball, football and basketball his first two years at Los Altos High. As a junior, he knocked basketball off the list, and just last season threw out football to concentrate solely on baseball.
“It was a hard decision because I really liked football,” said Lopez, a former Eagles starting quarterback who competed in a San Jose scout league during the fall. “But I figured all the really good baseball players played all year round. I decided that I really wanted to play college baseball, and go as far as I could.”
For now, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is tops on the recent graduate’s list of college programs, but somewhere down the line, Lopez could be swinging his bat with the Colorado Rockies’ organization. Thanks to his strong hitting and fielding ability – and help of Los Altos Coach Sandy Wihtol – Lopez was selected by the Rockies a few weeks back in the 45th round of the major league draft.
“Casey has come a long way in a year. When I needed him to make plays, he was the man,” said Wihtol, a former pitcher with the Cleveland Indians. “He’s a leader by example – if he rose his intensity up, everyone else followed.”
Added Lopez: “I’ve worked really hard. And Sandy gave me a lot of confidence, playing me a couple different positions in the infield. If you can hit, they can always find you a spot. But you also have to be flexible (with the glove).”
Lopez especially excelled with his bat this spring. The first-team Santa Clara Valley Athletic League El Camino Division selection – and runner up for most valuable player – hit .533 overall (.493 in league) with 37 RBIs, six home runs, 10 stolen bases and only five strikeouts. With runners in scoring position, the third baseman/shortstop slugged .645.
And he has continued his hot streak from the plate at the start of the Palo Alto American Legion summer season. As of last week, the cleanup hitter had four homers in seven games, including two grand slams. He’s even added first base to his arsenal of infield positions to further prepare him for the college ranks.
“He can pull the ball, go to the opposite field, waits on pitches and has excellent strength and bat control,” said Wihtol, who also gave Lopez exposure through some of his baseball friends.
This summer, Lopez estimates he’ll play 60 to 70 games with his American Legion team and in a De Anza College league and will spend extra time running, lifting weights and hitting with personal coach Terry Hartkee of the Houston Astros organization.
“It’s important to keep learning and striving to improve on my game,” said Lopez, adding that it’s fun mixing it up with some of the area’s top players during summer ball. “My level of game rises against better pitchers and players.”
Lopez is also a hit in the classroom, sporting a 3.6 grade-point average his senior year. While playing ball is important, he noted that getting a good education is his No. 1 priority.
And like his favorite baseball player Cal Ripken of the Baltimore Orioles, the future architecture or business major has the tools to succeed on and off the field. “I always have a positive attitude and never give up,” he said. “Just come out every day, try to be the first to get there and the last to leave.”
