Our second spring boys' honoree comes from a part of California's Central Valley where baseball is real big; and from a family that has the game in its blood.

By Harold Abend, Special to CalHiSports.com

Note: To send in a state athlete of the week nomination of your own, email info to mark@studentsports.com. Each week, the final choice is made at approximately 12 noon on Monday.

It takes more than one player to be the top team in your section and No. 5 overall in the most recent CalHiSports.com state baseball rankings.

And while the Central Section's Golden Eagles of Clovis West have many talented players, the one with the most outstanding prowess on the diamond is this pitcher and utility infielder.

Generally regarded as a top-notch hurler it was J.D. Salles' bat and his arm that were responsible for him being named this week's ESPN RISE CalHiSports.com State Boys Athlete of the Week.

	JD Salles

J.D. was 7-for-17 from the leadoff spot, with seven runs scored, four RBI, two doubles and two steals.

In the semifinal game that got the Golden Eagles into the title tilt, it was Salles who came through on the mound in a 4-1 win against Pleasant Grove of Elk Grove. He pitched a complete game six-hitter with nine strikeouts and no bases-on-balls.

On the season. Salles was hitting .348 with 18 runs scored, 13 RBI, six doubles, one home run, one triple and 10 stolen bases at the start of this week.

Pitching, Salles was 4-2 with a 2.15 ERA in 39 innings pitched. He had 43 strikeouts and only 10 walks and is one of three pitchers on the Golden Eagles staff to throw a no-hitter.  

One of the other pitchers to throw a no-no is senior Sean Silva. The lefthander, who is being recruited by UC Santa Barbara, UC Davis and Fresno State, pitched a four-hitter and ripped an RBI double in the win over Clovis East. He was named the tournament's Most Valuable Pitcher.

The other pitcher to throw a no-hitter is James Lee, who has committed to UNLV. He is 3-0 this season on the mound and also plays the outfield.

Still, it's the 6-0, 195-pound Salles who is the main cog and one of the team captains and leaders of this multi-talented squad.

"J.D. is a great competitor, believes in his ability and feels he's not going to be beaten – and really knows the game. He's a student of the game,” Patrick told CalHiSports.com

Not only is Salles a student of the game but an outstanding student in the classroom as well where he maintains a 3.5 GPA.

Without question, family tradition plays a major role in him striving to be a baseball star. A family rooted deep in the Fresno area.

"I'm really Jonathan David, so you could call me the fourth,” said Salles, with reference to his family lineage.

J.D.'s grandfather, John Salles II, was a star pitcher at Fresno Roosevelt and got drafted by the Pittsburg Pirates right out of high school.

"My grandfather started baseball in our family. He started playing and we haven't stopped since. All pitchers,” said Salles with pride in his voice.

His father, John Salles III, was a big local star who earned All-American status as a pitcher on the 1988 Fresno State team that played in the College World Series. He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs and made it all the way to Triple-A. Currently, he operates a pest-control business and gives private pitching instructions.
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J.D. has a little brother, seventh-grader Tucker. He's currently a catcher and goes to the middle school that feeds Clovis West.

A catcher, we asked? Maybe it's not too late for big brother, dad and grandpa to change Tucker's mind.

Salles' mother, Marcie, is a nurse, and according to J.D. "she ran some track in high school but you don't have to put her down as an athlete,” he said in a sheepish but slightly chuckling tone.

J.D. also wanted to mention his cousin, Johnny Shatswell, an infielder on the CalHiSports.com No. 14 overall state ranked Oakdale Mustangs from the Sac-Joaquin Section.

For those out there who think it's only the adults and prep sports junkies that check out the ESPN RISE network of sights and CalHiSports.com, think again.

"I'm always on CalHiSports looking at the rankings to see where we are, where everyone else is at, where Johnny's team is and checking out the Stat Stars,” said Salles.

In fact, we received a text message from J.D. on Friday morning saying he was up on the site and looking for the girls and boys stories this week, asking when they would be posted.

Salles is also focused on team and personal goals.

With respect to the team, league and section titles are foremost on their minds.  

"Our number one goal is to win the Central Section,” said Salles, whose team lost in the semis last year to eventual champion Stockdale of Bakersfield. "Winning league is first, though. We haven't done that since 2005.”

With both Buchanan of Clovis, currently ranked No. 18 overall in the state, and Clovis, which is on the bubble, also in the Tri-River Athletic Conference, it's going to be a tough assignment.

Like was stated previously, baseball is big-time in the big valley.

"Right now we're doing well but we have to stay as hot as we've been,” Salles said with conviction.

"We're all pretty tight on this team and the good chemistry helps us out,” remarked Salles and added. "When you go into battle with guys you want to be friends with them. We're really close with the coaches also.”

As for FSU, choosing that college seemed perfect for J.D.

"I wanted to go there regardless of them going to the College World Series,” Salles told CalHiSports.com.

"My dad going there was a big factor. I'll have a lot to live up to for the same success he had.

"Of course I have aspirations to play in professional baseball. What kid doesn't,” said Salles rhetorically, and added. "If it doesn't work out I'll still want to be in baseball as a coach.”

Toward that goal, J.D. plans on studying kinesiology in college. He knows the real ticket to his future is a college degree and his work in the classroom is proof.

"My dad is always harping on me about getting my degree. You have to have something to fall back on,” he said. "My dad didn't get his degree, and he likes his job, but he'd rather be coaching high school baseball if he'd gotten his degree.”

On baseball advice for someone like his little brother or other youngsters coming up, Salles had this to say:

"One thing Coach Patrick says may sound like a cliché and its pretty simple but true. Work hard and do the right things on the field and good things will happen.”

Right now, however, the Golden Eagle faithful are hoping that before Salles heads off to FSU, he and his mates take care of business in this part of town and bring home league and section crowns.