Gerardo Medina III is excited to prove you wrong.
He knows that, at five-foot-nine, some will overlook him immediately and think he can’t handle the workload that would come with being a pitcher at his size.
He also knows that he has a golden opportunity at the New Balance Baseball Future Stars Series Main Event, set for September 29-October 1 at Fenway Park in Boston, to show he can not only do it there, but do it either at The University of Houston, where he’s committed to play his college ball, or at the next level as a 2024 Draft-eligible RHP.
“(I want to show) that I can can compete against the best talent in the (country) and show them that I might not be as tall as other pitchers, but that doesn’t phase me (and) I can still go out and compete.”
Medina left a strong impression on the scouting staff at the most recent National Combine in Nashville, with a note of “pitches with big heart and big effort” being left along a detailed report that breaks down a slider-fastball mix that saw the latter cross the plate as high as 92 MPH at Shelby Park after a memorable high leg kick to get his delivery going.
RHP, Gerardo Medina III (@JerryMedina0624) up to 92 with sink at the National Combine.@NB_Baseball @P15Sports #WeGotNow pic.twitter.com/IziDYm621T
— New Balance 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 (@ftrstarsseries) July 4, 2023
It was an impressive and effective product then, but with tips from International Pitching Coordinator and former big-leaguer Jose Silva received in Nashville, he’s confident he can look even better on the big stage in Beantown.
“I’ve been working a lot on my control and keeping my head steady,” Medina said. “Coach Silva really helped with it and I’ve been a lot better at throwing strikes and keeping my head still.”
Head still, but eyes wide open at a legendary venue that the Laredo, Texas native can’t wait to set foot in.
“Just the fact that legends like Ted Williams, David Ortiz, (Derek) Jeter, The Babe, Reggie Jackson, and so many other greats have played in that Stadium, it just makes me real excited that I’ve been given the opportunity to play there.”
