JJ Saffie will start in left field for El Camino Real in the Open Division championship game against Birmingham at Dodger Stadium. He spent three years on junior varsity, waiting and working before earning a varsity starting role this season. His progression included time on frosh-soph, intermittent JV starts, and a breakthrough in junior year when his hitting and approach began to click. He contributed to a strong JV team and was called up as a pinch runner for the playoffs. He developed power, including a reputation for hitting balls over the left-field fence during batting practice. With two home runs this season, he became a key player and views the championship start as the result of patience and preparation.
"When JJ Saffie walks onto hallowed ground Saturday as a starting left fielder for 10-time City champion El Camino Real High in the Open Division championship game against Birmingham, he will be finishing a journey few want to travel these days."
""Very patient," he said. "Freshman year, played frosh-soph, called up for a few JV games. Sophomore year, on and off starter on JVs. Junior year is when it started clicking for me. I found my bat, I found the style I like to play, I started hitting real good.""
""I've hit two windows and six cars," said the 18-year-old, who likes to cause mayhem for insurance companies. He's hit two home runs this season and become a key player for the Royals."
""I’m a big believer in good things will come to those who are patient," he said. "I knew I needed to be patient, work on my game and eventually success would come my way and I'd have my opportunities and here's my opportunity. I'm trying to prove that Saturday.""
Read at Los Angeles Times
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