Warren junior catcher Cristian Paredes embraces everything about his position, aches and pains and all.
Paredes’ ability to rise to the challenges as an unproven first-year varsity starter has been integral to the Blue Devils’ strong season.
“It’s tough to be a catcher,” he said. “A lot of people overlook it. It’s a really hard job, being in the cold and the heat, blocking balls and throwing guys out.
“But I love it because of that leadership aspect, working one-on-one with the pitchers, making sure they’re at their best.”
Indeed, Paredes’ play behind the plate has been one of the keys to the success of the Blue Devils’ pitchers this season. That includes throwing out runners, as he said — and as he did early in a Class 4A Palatine Regional semifinal on Wednesday.
“To be honest, we thought that would be a position we would probably struggle at,” Warren coach Clint Smothers said. “But he stepped in in the offseason, got his arm stronger, and he took the position 100% and has had it ever since and played pretty well back there. It’s been great to watch him grow.”
Paredes’ growth and senior right-hander Peyton Balanag’s dominance were on display during the second-seeded Blue Devils’ six-inning, 10-0 win over 15th-seeded Wheeling. Balanag went the distance, allowing four hits and striking out six.
Senior shortstop Colin Dreckmann was 3-for-3 with two doubles and two RBIs to pace the offense for Warren (22-10), which will send senior right-hander Braylan McCarthy to the mound against 10th-seeded Lake Zurich (20-12) in the regional championship game at 10 a.m. Saturday. McCarthy and junior third baseman Braxton Goodfellow went a combined 4-for-6 with three doubles and three RBIs.
Paredes got it all started when he threw out a runner who was trying to steal second base to end the top of the first inning. The Blue Devils promptly scored three runs in the bottom half.
“That was a statement punch-out for us, and the energy came through for the whole team, and we grabbed momentum,” Paredes said. “Once you get someone in the first inning, it’s kind of hard for them to steal again because they might be scared.
“It’s amazing to prove to the other team that, ‘Hey, this guy has an arm. Watch your lead.’ That’s really important, and it’s a compliment to a catcher.”
The Blue Devils’ pitchers compliment Paredes too.
“He’s been like a brick wall back there, and no matter where you put the pitch, he’ll frame it really well and put up a good fight for you,” Warren junior right-hander Alex Kolcier said. “If you throw anything in the dirt, he’ll stop it.
“Catching is a hard job, and he does it really well. Even when we have a mix-up with the pitch-calling device, he’ll know what to call in any situation. It’s a good feeling going out there knowing that Cristian is catching.”
For Paredes to be back there at all, he not only had to win the job but also deal with a balky back that has bothered him for nearly the entire season. Much of the time, he didn’t bat. But his back has been feeling better lately, allowing him to feel more like a complete player.
“It’s been a tough year for me physically,” Paredes said. ”It was just from too much repetition, swinging a lot, and it led into the season. The swing has been feeling much better, and the ball is flying off the bat.”
Paredes drilled a double to the wall against Wheeling. Typically batting in the bottom third of the order doesn’t put a lot of pressure on him offensively, but it still means a lot for him to produce.
“Batting where I do, you’re not supposed to be one of the big guys offensively, but it’s still my job to get on base, get a rally going,” he said. “I like to get into long counts and work the pitcher — not try to do anything too big, just have good at-bats.”
Good at-bats, throwing out runners and blocking balls are all part of a day’s work for Paredes, who is grateful to be doing it.
“I’m really proud of myself because there was definitely doubt for me playing this far into the season,” he said. “I was wondering whether I’d be able to push through.
“Hopefully, it’s meant a lot for the team. There were definitely times where I really couldn’t bend over and do certain things. It just took time, rest and a lot of ice.”
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.
