Waukegan senior Jaylen Albarran’s fourth varsity season could be a case study on versatility in baseball.
But so many words may not be needed to explain Albarran’s ability to play any position.
“He’s an old-fashioned kind of ballplayer who can do a little bit of everything,” Waukegan coach Pat Cook said. “You would want him on your sandlot baseball team.”
Indeed, Albarran plays wherever the Bulldogs (1-16) need him. Just this season, he has been a third baseman, shortstop, outfielder, catcher and pitcher.
Cook recalled a play Albarran made recently while he was pitching. A dribbler was hit between the mound and first base, and Albarran ended up on his knees after scrambling toward the ball. He shuffled it shotput-style to the first baseman to get the out.
“He’s the type of player every team wants because he hustles and stays focused no matter what the situation,” Waukegan senior first baseman Caden Fransk said. “You can put him anywhere. He doesn’t just go there. He plays well.
“You can tell just by looking at him that he’s a ballplayer.”
Albarran not only does just about everything on a baseball field but also seems to know just about everyone he comes across on it. Cook calls Albarran the “mayor of the North Suburban Conference” because he chats with opposing players so often.
“It’s good to have a bond with people on different teams,” Albarran said. “Those guys I know, they take the sport seriously too. At the end of the day, they’re rivals, but they’re also friends.”
Albarran knows so many people because he has played travel baseball for so long. His year-round training certainly helps with skill development too. For instance, Albarran changed his approach at the plate to be an effective leadoff hitter for the Bulldogs after batting third last season.
“The transition to leadoff took a little bit,” he said. “You always want to sit on a first-pitch fastball, but in the end I just try to stay quick, stay simple. I’m not trying to hit the ball over guys’ heads but just trying to set the tempo early. My job is to get on base and let the others behind me drive me in.”
Albarran has accomplished his goal of setting the table and has created a lot of traffic in the process. He’s batting .382 with a .475 on-base percentage and eight stolen bases.
“I used to have a really long bat path, and I worked on getting my hands quicker to the ball and sitting on pitches,” he said. “I had to develop a new mindset where making contact was the main goal.”
Albarran won’t rest until he knows he has done everything possible to improve. His desire to excel has even led to an occasional nighttime text to Cook looking for counsel about an at-bat from earlier in the day.
“Sometimes I need an extra look or perspective after games, and if there’s someone there, I’ll try to get some extra swings in,” Albarran said. “I try to get the work in and do whatever I can to be the best player I can be.”
With that attitude, Albarran has been a productive high school player.
“Freshman year, I had to adjust in a lot of areas, especially facing the higher-level velocity, but I held my own, and sophomore and junior years I feel like I broke out,” he said. “I try not to do too much and play the game the right way.”
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.
