San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
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Aztecs senior earns MVP honor in S.D. League all-star game
BASEBALL
Aztecs senior outfielder Mike Jarvis is MVP of the San Diego League’s all-star game.
Perhaps the last thing Mike Jarvis pictured himself doing this summer was holding an MVP award over his head while being showered with confetti.
But there was Jarvis on Friday afternoon at Christian High doing exactly that after earning the honor in the San Diego League allstar game. His 2-for-2 performance with two RBIS, two runs scored and a stolen base helped the Sea team to a 10-6 win over the Land team.
As his senior year played out at San Diego State, Jarvis retained aspirations for professional baseball. Or, at the very least, putting a degree in economics to work.
“I probably would have had to find a job,” said the outfielder. “This whole coronavirus shifted my plans like 180.
“Whatever happened with the draft or signing after, that was up in the air. That was something I was willing to entertain, then it got turned upside down.”
The MLB Draft was shortened from 40 to five rounds this year as a result of the pandemic. That removed any chance of Jarvis being drafted. And bonuses for free agent signings were limited to $20,000, most of it deferred.
“I found my way here, and I’m trying to make the most of it,” Jarvis said. “Stuff turns around, and it all works out in the end.”
Although the NCAA canceled all springs sports in mid-march, the organization subsequently ruled that athletes would receive an additional year of eligibility.
“Right when it happened it was tough because we had a really good team (the Aztecs were 10-6 when the season abruptly ended), and I wanted to see what we could do,” said Jarvis, who will add a minor when he returns for the 2020-21 school year. “As time has gone on, we’ve got a lot of guys coming back and I’m more excited for next year to see what we can put together.
“It took a couple of weeks into the quarantine to flip the mindset . ... It’s not what I envisioned, but I’m excited. Now that I’ve thought more about it I’m pumped for it.”
Jarvis has been playing for the San Diego League’s Hooks, batting .367 (11for-30) with five RBIS in his first nine games.
“My focus recently has been more on the mental game and improving that whatever way I can,” Jarvis said. “Getting the physical reps and then working on the mental game and trying to improve.”
One of his teammates is younger brother Jim Jarvis (.304, 7 RBIS), an infielder at Alabama who also was an SDL all-star.
The brothers had not played together in four years, when Mike was a senior and Jim a freshman at Clairemont High.
“It’s been an awesome opportunity to get on the same team again,” Mike Jarvis said.
Making his mark
One of the breakout players in the SDL’S opening weeks has been Davis Heller, a 6-foot-7 first baseman for the Wild.
Heller batted .452 (14for-31) with a league-high 14 RBIS in his first nine games. He added two hits, including an RBI double, in the allstar game.
Heller was born in Escondido and lived locally until his family moved to Colorado when he was 14.
He played this past year at Arizona’s South Mountain CC, where the season, like everywhere else, came to a premature conclusion.
“I’m hoping we’re good to play there next year,” said Heller, noting that all fall sports have been moved to the spring. “We’ll see, really.”
Heller may find himself at a four-year school within a few weeks, based on the attention he has received for his performance here.
“Whenever the opportunity arises at a four-year school, whether that’s after the summer or after next year, whatever works,” Heller
said. “I’m just focusing on getting better and not really worrying about stuff I can’t control.”
“I’m just getting after it and getting better for next year. It’s been a ton of fun.”
SDL notes
More than a quarter of the all-star roster spots were filled by players from either USD (11) or SDSU (6).
• USD catcher Caleb Ricketts (.310, 2 HR, 8 RBIS) and outfielder/left-hander
Kyle Carr (.367 batting/2.00 ERA, 13 SO/4 BB in 9 IP), right-handers Jack Hyde (0.00 ERA, 16 SO/2 BB in 9 IP) and Jack Dolak (2.89 ERA, 14 SO/7 BB in 9.1 IP) and left-hander Eddy Pelc (3.00 ERA, 11 SO/1 BB in 9.0 IP) have stood out.
• SDSU right-hander
Ricky Tibbett (Eastlake High) is bidding for the league’s strikeout crown. Tibbett is 2-1 with a 2.16 ERA and 21 SO/4 BB in 16.2 IP.
• Cal first baseman/righthander Grant Holman (Eastlake High) has been a two-way standout. He’s touched 96 mph on the mound, tossing five shutout innings over four appearances with nine strikeouts and one walk. At the plate, Holman is batting .381 with eight RBIS.
• Palomar CC righthander Jack O’brien (Westview High) is one of the winningest pitchers so far, going 2-0 with a 2.31 ERA, 15 SO/2 BB in 11.2 IP.