2,065 MLB PLAYERS | 14,476 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Create Account
Sign in Create Account
Tournaments  | Story  | 6/6/2021

Guevara Taking In Breakout Summer

Matthew Welsh     
Photo: Eric Guevara (Perfect Game)
ATLANTA, Ga. -- Undoubtedly, GBSA Rays 16u is one of the most electric travel ball clubs in the country. That electricity was on full display on Saturday morning in the Perfect Game Southeast Elite Championship, headed by a budding infielder with aims of reaching the next level.
 
Infielder Eric Guevara stepped to the plate following an intentional walk that put runners on first and second, with two outs in the fourth inning. Choosing to face Guevara was a mistake. The Statesboro, Ga. native sent the next pitch into the outfield for an RBI double that helped seal an eventual 5-1 win for his team in their final game of pool play.
 
“I was ready,” said Guevara on that at-bat. “I was like ‘don’t do that, why did you do that,’ and so I was ready for my pitch. I was focused, stationed away from the pitch, and just tried to hit the ball up the middle.”
 
Guevara, currently ranked in Perfect Game’s top-500 players in the class of 2023, is coming off a Memorial Day Classic last weekend where he took home tournament MVP honors and helped deliver his team its first Perfect Game championship of the summer. 
 
Since that title, GBSA has remained undefeated, with Guevara a large part of that success, and is currently 10-0 in the 2021 calendar year. He believes that his team’s recent achievements only help boost their confidence in the dugout.
 
“It felt amazing being able to help the team get the ‘ship first of all,” said Guevara. “And it’s just great being able to be here and play this competition with these guys. I think it gave us some momentum. We have not lost a game yet [this summer], and we want to keep going and we will keep going hard. We’re 10-0 right now, and don’t want to stop.”
 
The No. 11 shortstop in the state of Georgia has worked hard to improve his skill set beyond an arsenal that last summer did not attract as much attention from collegiate programs. 
 
While working on the five tools of his game, his results on the field have begun to flourish. Guevara was named a 2021 Preseason Underclass All-American, increased his infield velocity to 90 mph and has been named to six all-tournament teams in the past year. But for the rising junior at Georgia Premier Academy, this growth hasn’t come easy. His dedication to hard work is all that matters. 
 
“I train and work out a lot,” Guevara said. “We are doing a summer program right now where we work out in the mornings and afternoon, with a lot of physical stuff. There’s also hitting and fielding work and all that stuff to help me get better.” 
 
But when he steps on the field, time seems to slow down, especially in big game situations like the one he found himself in today. When it comes to executing, Guevara is confident in his preparation.
 
“I got a lot better this year, in everything really, I got a lot better,” Guevara said. “My hitting, my fielding, I got faster, my arm got stronger, and so it’s all just working hard and practicing every day. I just try to keep myself quiet on the field, keep myself calm, and just be ready for every opportunity.”
 
Aside from playing in this season’s core tournament events, Guevara has his eyes set on several other performance platforms, the first of which is next weekend’s Jr. National Showcase, also centered at Perfect Game’s East Cobb Complex. In a four-day series of games, drills and exercises, Guevara will have the opportunity to deliver his game to a national audience.  
 
His recruiting process, which is already underway, will almost certainly gain additional traction following the opening of the NCAA recruiting period on June 8. Although currently in communication with several high-level programs at the collegiate level, Guevara wants to continue to improve upon the abilities that he has worked so hard to establish.
 
“I have talked to a couple schools like Florida State, Indiana State, Miami and Indiana. A lot of schools have been talking to me, so it’s been getting better since my last summer,” Guevara said. “I’m excited to come here and try to be the best with the best people. I’m just excited really to get to play against the best competition.”
 
Despite the justifiably lofty goals he has set for himself and his team, this college prospect knows that the quickest way to reach them, is to win games. Advancing in tournaments brings a higher level of competition, and any success in those games can go a long way in determining a player’s future. 
 
“We just want to take this season tournament-by-tournament [and] try to take the championship every time we can,” Guevara said. “That’s what we’re all about.”
PG Special Events
Travel, Lodging, Entertainment
PG Partners
Recommended
About Perfect Game :: Contact us :: Terms of Use :: Privacy Policy :: Testimonials :: Job Opportunities
Copyright 1994-2024 by Perfect Game. All rights reserved. No portion of this information may be reprinted or reproduced without the written consent of Perfect Game.