From LBPOSTSports.com: Jordan High right-hander Marcos Lara is missing just one thing that would make him a superstar: a defense that makes plays behind him.
The lanky senior is 6-4, with a miniscule 0.67 ERA, and has struck out 56 batters in 42 innings pitched.
But Lara’s defense has failed him all season, and 86% of the 29 runs scored while the Panthers’ ace was on the hill have been gifts (that’s 25 unearned runs).
Lara has stuff that puts him on equal footing with the Moore League’s best pitchers, and is someone that nobody can overlook.
“If Marcos played for Wilson, Millikan or Lakewood, he’d be right there for pitcher or player of the year,” Poly coach Toby Hess said. “He has great stuff and finds a way to work out of jams that aren’t of his doing.”
Lara makes his bid as one of the Long Beach-area’s most complete players, because of his .411 average, and has 23 hits, five doubles and 12 RBI’s.
Lara would be the first to tell you he doesn’t always react to adversity well, but with the help and support of Jordan coach Marc Prager, he’s attempting to channel his emotions in a more productive manner.
“It is very frustrating at times to pitch my heart out and not get a whole lot of help behind me, but I know my teammates are making the effort and all I can control is my job,” Lara said. “I know it doesn’t always look good when I get angry, but I am working hard to be a better teammate.”
Lara was ineligible for half of his junior season, but Prager said he came back with a vengeance.
“I don’t think Marcos realized how important baseball was in his life until it was taken away,” Prager said. “I couldn’t be more proud of the way he’s taken care of business in the classroom and has grown as a player and a person. He’s gone from being ineligible to nearly a 3.0 grade-point average.”
Click here for the full article by Brian Baiotto…
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