Baseball: Valencia freshman Lopes meeting expectations

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Living up to sky-high expectations can be tough for any athlete -- especially if his name is being associated with the 2011 amateur baseball draft on a somewhat regular basis.

So I’m sure Valencia freshman shortstop Christian Lopes has gotten used to all the talk surrounding his anticipated rise to the top of Southland baseball. The transition to high school ball hasn’t always been easy for the 2006 National Baseball Youth Player of the Year, but based on his performances in the last few games, I think it’s pretty safe to say this kid is destined for stardom.

Lopes hit two home runs, including a grand slam, in Valencia’s 9-6 victory over West Ranch on Friday. He also hit a homer against the Wildcats on Wednesday, and has hits in seven of his last eight games. As a result, Lopes has eight homers on the season and has upped his batting average to .405.

We still have to wait a couple of more years to see what Lopes is capable of accomplishing, but the timing of his second hot streak (he opened his prep career with a 12-game hitting streak) couldn’t have come at a better time. With his teething process seemingly over, Lopes could play an even bigger role in transforming the Vikings from Foothill League runner-up to bona fide Division I championship contender.

-- Austin Knoblauch