Rising Star Diego Bastidas Shines for Metea Valley

Freshman catcher Diego Bastidas has emerged as a standout talent for Metea Valley’s baseball team. Coach Steve Colombe was not surprised by Bastidas’ abilities, as his older brother Daniel previously played for the team before transferring to Middle Tennessee State.

“We’ve known about Diego for quite some time,” Colombe stated. The wider high school baseball community is now beginning to notice his skills. Initially, he played for the frosh/soph team, handling catching duties, infield tasks, and pitching. “We needed more depth at the varsity level, and he was one of the first players we considered,” explained Colombe. “He earned an opportunity against Waubonsie last month and hit an RBI triple in one of his first games.”

In the Class 4A Plainfield North Regional quarterfinal, Bastidas batted against Neuqua Valley, showcasing his skills further. During his playoff debut, he hit 2-for-4 and drove in two runs, contributing significantly to the 17th-seeded Mustangs’ 9-5 victory over the 16th-seeded Wildcats. This win advanced Metea Valley (8-20) to face top-seeded Lockport (23-12) in the regional semifinal.

“This game was critical for us,” said Colombe. Bastidas proved pivotal, particularly with key defensive plays. The Wildcats led 1-0, but Bastidas picked off a runner at second and caught another attempting to steal. “I’m always aware of the play around me,” Bastidas mentioned. These defensive efforts were crucial in shifting the game’s momentum.

Offensively, Bastidas also impressed. After Carter Behrns walked, Bastidas singled and advanced on Diego Gutierrez’s RBI double. Despite an open base, the Wildcats pitched to Tyler Gluting, who hit his eighth home run of the season, bringing the score to 5-1. Gluting praised Bastidas for his confidence and contributions.

Both teams scored twice in the fifth inning, but Bastidas’ two-out double in the sixth secured two more runs for the Mustangs. Reflecting on his game, Bastidas emphasized his focus on defense while continuing to improve his hitting skills.

Bastidas draws inspiration from his brother and professional catchers like the Royals’ Salvador Perez and former Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina. Determined to be a leader despite his youth, he looks to learn from teammates and make a positive team impact.

Coach Colombe compared Bastidas to Waubonsie Valley star Shane Torres, noting his potential if he continues to refine his game. Looking ahead, Bastidas expressed excitement for the upcoming match against Lockport, buoyed by the recent win. “We’re carrying this energy into the next game, aiming to progress further,” he declared.

Reporter Matt Le Cren contributed to this article.