Green Delivers a Complete Package

Vince Brown, Tustin High School baseball coach, has a simple explanation for outfielder Shawn Green’s remarkable success over the past four years.

“Repetition,” Brown said. “Shawn has done all the things necessary to be good over and over again. He’s worked hard to become the best on the baseball field or in the classroom.”

Green became a model of consistency as a four-year starter at Tustin, establishing a county career record with 147 hits. More importantly, the Tillers won 82 games with Green in the lineup.

This year, Green batted .479 to lead Tustin to a 20-8 record and the Sea View League championship. Green, a gifted hitter with a sweet swing, is The Times Orange County baseball player of the year.

Green had only one hitting slump in four years, according to Brown, when he opened last season with one hit in 13 at-bats. But he finished his junior year with a .462 batting average.

Green is equally prolific in the classroom. He ranks second in the senior class with a 4.6 grade-point average, receiving straight A’s for four years.

Green signed a letter of intent to play baseball at Stanford in the fall but was presented with another option when the Toronto Blue Jays selected him in the first round of last week’s amateur free-agent draft.

Green ended his prep career last weekend in the State all-star games at Clovis West High in Fresno. He was named the most valuable player on the South team after getting eight hits in three games.

South Coach Dan DeLeon of El Toro wasn’t surprised with Green’s performance. He has watched Green play since his sophomore year.

“When he was a sophomore, we took him to the area code all-star game in Lodi and he didn’t miss a beat,” DeLeon said. “You knew he was going to be something special. Then he blossomed last summer on the Junior Olympic team.

“Last weekend, all the players from both teams marveled at his ability to hit. His swing is so smooth and effortless. He’s the complete package who can run, hit and field. I think he’ll hit with power down the road.”

The future is now for Green. He will either pursue a professional career or attend Stanford in the fall. But on draft day, he chose to reflect upon his high school career.

“It went so fast,” Green said. “It doesn’t seem like four years have gone by already. I slept in today so I wouldn’t have to think about it (the draft). Yesterday, I was thinking about playing this summer for my Connie Mack team. Now, I’m a first-round pick.”

Green was allowed to skip Tustin’s mandatory conditioning period on the morning of the draft. Tustin’s players are required to lift weights or run at 6:10 a.m.

“I think Shawn missed two periods in four years,” Brown said. “I think that says something about his work ethic and dedication to the game.”