George Carralejo, recently named the 2026 ABCA/Soldier Sports Pacific Association Division National Assistant Coach of the Year, is using the platform to advocate for a fundamental shift in youth athletic development. Rather than measuring success solely by wins and losses, Carralejo emphasizes player development and skill acquisition over the volume of games played.
The award, presented by the American Baseball Coaches Association, recognizes assistant coaches across collegiate and high school divisions based on coaching expertise, recruiting, loyalty, and respect for players and the game. Carralejo will be honored at the 83rd annual ABCA Convention in Chicago in January 2027.
“The award is a tremendous honor,” said Carralejo. “But what matters most to me is helping young players build skills that last. I'd like to see our youth parents take a step back and focus on the big picture, which is improvement over time and understanding the lessons that are learned during times of failure as well as success.”
Carralejo, a veteran high school and college baseball coach based in Santa Ana, California, has spent nearly two decades developing pitchers who blend physical skills with decision-making, composure, and execution under pressure. His call for change comes as youth sports increasingly emphasizes unhealthy volumes of games, putting pressure on young bodies.
“I understand the love of competition. I love to compete, but I also believe in the development of skills and you can get 100 ground balls in a practice, you might get 3 in a game. I do believe we need to spend more time on practice development,” Carralejo said.
According to the American Sports Medicine Institute, pitching while fatigued significantly increases injury risk. USA Baseball and Major League Baseball's Pitch Smart program recommends age-based pitch count limits and proper recovery to reduce overuse injuries. Carralejo believes many risks can be mitigated by redefining success.
“We are playing a lot of weekend tournaments. Ok, then we need to develop an entire roster of pitchers, so we can cover that many games in a short period,” he said, noting that relying on just two or three arms all weekend is unsustainable.
Carralejo encourages players, parents, and coaches to adopt practical habits: focus on multiple sports to build better athletes, embrace failure to build mental toughness, stack small wins, have a growth mindset, and enjoy the car ride home. “When I get pitchers coming to play for me in college, I want athletes. Guys who can pitch, who know how to compete, value winning,” he said.
The mental side of sports is equally crucial. “The players who perform at advanced ages are the ones who stay composed when the game gets difficult,” Carralejo said. “A strong foundation builds confidence. Confidence helps players compete.”
By advocating for sustainable player development, Carralejo hopes to spark a larger conversation. “If this award encourages one more coach to develop players more thoughtfully, or one more young athlete to stay patient with their development, that's a win,” he said. “The goal isn't to create the greatest player. It's to help create people who learn to compete with confidence, and enjoy the game for years to come.”
