By Melissa Trevizo
San Jacinto College freshman athlete Sabin Ceballos is making a name for himself in junior college baseball, but he has Houston Astros star shortstop Carlos Correa to thank for helping him along the way.
Ceballos, who attended Puerto Rico Baseball Academy and High School, was awarded a scholarship sponsored by Correa, also a PRBAHS alumnus, to attend the private baseball academy.
“I tried out for the PRBAHS in the 10th grade. I had an interview with the headmaster, executive director, and Carlos Correa Sr.,” said Ceballos. “I was awarded the Correa Scholarship, and I was very excited because he is one of my favorite players.”
In his junior year at the academy, Ceballos qualified to participate in the New Balance Future Stars Series at Fenway Park in Boston, Mass.
“The series consisted of three games where we played against the best teams with professional scouts watching,” Ceballos said. “In the field I felt confident because it was where I had trained the most. I couldn’t believe I was playing on a field with so much history.”
The PRBAHS was created in 1999 to develop the potential of youth in the discipline of baseball, strengthen academic achievement, and foster community involvement as an integral part of students’ socio-educational development.
“Sabin is a complete leader on and off the field,” said Galy Cruz, PRBAHS. “He is a mature athlete and a power threat on the field. His attributes as a player and person are off the charts, and we know the MLB is not far away.”
Correa, originally a scholarship student himself, graduated from the PRBAHS in 2012.
“Ever since I’ve been drafted, I’ve tried to stay very involved with the academy,” Correa said.
“That’s great news to know that Sabin is doing so well. If his goal is to make it to the big leagues and have a long career, I would just say keep working until he achieves that.”
Ceballos’ interest in baseball began long ago while watching another of his favorite baseball players, his brother Gerald.
“When I was little, I would go to the fields with my family to watch my brother play baseball,” Ceballos said. “He made me run the bases with him after the game. I loved the adrenaline, and I felt the need to practice since I was about 3 years old.”
The adrenaline hasn’t worn off for the 19-year-old, who was named Outstanding Defensive Player for the 2021 Alpine Bank Junior College World Series, where San Jacinto College finished third in the
nation. In his freshman year, he hit .348, made eight home runs, and posted 53 RBI.
“It feels great to have been in the JUCO World Series,” said Ceballos. “As a freshman I was able to play with other teams to reach the greatest achievement of the NJCAA.”
San Jacinto College Baseball Head Coach Tom Arrington has seen Ceballos grow and change throughout what could have been a very tough season.
“Ceballos is a fun kid to be around,” said Arrington. “He and the rest of the team have faced many adversities this year but remained diligent in work ethic and support of one another.”
As for his time at San Jac, Ceballos is grateful for the experience he has had.
“I have enjoyed San Jacinto College so much,” Ceballos said. “The team and the coaches have been amazing. I thought because I didn’t know much English that I would feel segregated and it would be hard, but they have been very helpful and accepting.”
With so much potential, where does Ceballos see his future?
“I see a great career ahead of me in baseball if I keep working hard,” Ceballos said. “I see myself helping a lot of people too. I’d like to make my own baseball academy to help those who have the same dream and don’t have the resources to train.”
