Jesse Orozco has recently committed to North Lake College in Dallas. He has been playing baseball since he was five years old and is currently a shortstop and pitcher for the baseball team. Soon, he will be starting a new chapter and will have to learn how to balance being a college student and a college baseball player.
“I plan on taking my academics seriously. I plan on taking early classes so I can practice in the afternoon,” Orozco said.
Choosing a college is one of the biggest decisions athletes have to make. Jesse also considered Richland College, Wyile College, Cedar Valley College and Vernon College. Ultimately, he chose North Lake.
“I chose this college because I wanna learn from the best: Derick Holland, an ex-Rangers pitcher,” Orozco said.
Being an athlete comes with challenges. Whether the challenges are mental or physical, athletes must take their time to recover and take care of themselves. In his sophomore year, Jesse tore his meniscus and ACL but was able to recover.
“I overcame this setback by going hard with physical therapy and being positive,” Orozco said.
A big part of being on a baseball team is bonding with teammates and working together so that the team can be successful. Jesse has his family and his girlfriend supporting and motivating him, but he also has teammates to share victories with.
“One of my favorite things about baseball is the bond with teammates. Remember our freshman year when we defeated the Aledo Bearcats? That victory was unforgettable. The tough practices brought us closer and taught us to trust each other. It wasn't just about winning; it was about the journey and the connections we made. Those shared moments make baseball special,” Orozco said.
Jesse has a lot of goals and plans for his life, not just for baseball but for his education and career. He is looking forward to starting life as a young man and will be pursuing an engineering degree. After college, he plans on going to law school and becoming a patent attorney. As for baseball, he also has certain goals he wants to achieve.
“My short-term goal is to make the playoffs this year, and my long-term goal is to make a D1 roster in the future, after Juco,” Orozco said.
Since Jesse has been playing baseball since he was five, he’s learned a lot and has a lot of experience. He has some advice for younger players.
“Have fun playing the game, and don't worry about the mistakes you can make. Just have fun. It goes by fast,” Orozco said.
Jesse is on a great track and will surely continue being successful if he continues his hard work. Good luck to this Brewer Bear, who will soon be a North Lake Blazer.