Gimenez selected to All-WAC first team as outfielder at UN-R
RENO, Nev. – After dazzling Gilroy High baseball fans throughout his varsity career and then being drafted by the Colorado Rockies, it took only a short while for hometown slugger Chris Gimenez to make the same impression on the diamond at the University of Nevada-Reno.
The garlic-bred college sophomore was named to the All-WAC Conference first team after batting .340 (fourth on team) with 53 hits including 12 home runs (second on team), nine doubles, two triples and 44 runs batted in. Gimenez also maintained a .654 slugging percentage and a .450 on-base percentage with 16 base-on-balls and 17 hit-by-pitches in 156 at-bats.
“It was a goal of mine this year. Last year, I didn’t play enough to qualify. This year, I knew I had a year of experience and I was one of leaders on team,” said Gimenez, who returned on Monday. “I just did my best to provide what I could for the team.”
Although Gilroyans remember Gimenez as a hard-throwing, hard-hitting catcher when he was a Mustang, the versatile ball player has cemented a starting spot in the Wolf Pack outfield. Since switching out from behind the plate, Gimenez has played all three outfield positions at UNR.
“I’ve always been able to play other positions, but I just messed around in outfield. Beginning my freshman year, I told coach that I can play outfield also just so I could get in there anyway,” Gimenez said. “Then just by accident I ended up making a big play in the outfield. I dove and caught a ball during practice.”
Midway through his freshman season, Gimenez began to solidify his starting spot as an outfielder. But this year, he started off slumping at the plate and was benched for about a month.
“I got so fed up with myself. It was totally a confidence thing. My confidence went into the gutter,” said Gimenez of his sluggish start. “It was just a matter of building up my confidence, knowing I can play with the best of them. Once I got confidence, I got on a roll.”
In his first game back in the starting line-up, Gimenez hit a game-winning, two-run homer. The regular centerfield had missed the bus and Gimenez was a last-minute replacement.
“I kinda got lucky,” Gimenez said. “I got three hits that game, my first three hits of the season. After that it all fell into place. I started seeing the ball well and hitting it all over the place.”
Gimenez’s ever-growing confidence and productivity kept him in the line-up and the hometown boy kept on connecting – belting three home runs in one game against the University of Hawaii.
“I hit my first home run and I thought I never really hit two in this uniform in one game. My next one I hit into right-centerfield. When I ran back into dug out I thought what if did it again,” said Gimenez, who didn’t think he would see another pitch over the plate. “The first pitch, he gave me a fastball and I just hammered it to centerfield. I took advantage of his mistake. He didn’t hit his spot.”
That was the last good pitch Gimenez saw in the game as he walked his next two times to the plate.
With Gimenez continuing to swing a hot bat on first-team pace, the Wolf Pack finished with a 19-10 record for second place in the WAC Conference and a 32-24 overall mark. The Wolf Pack even got a win over WAC champion Rice – which was No. 1 in the nation at the time.
“For me to get this is a great accomplishment for me. To do it in high school is one thing, but to do it in college is another. It’s quite an accomplishment. I was very excited and very pleased because I did have a pretty good year,” Gimenez said. “I had fun this year, especially since we won as team. It’s a lot more fun when you go out and win We were eight or nine games over .500 and we were the opposite last year.”
Gimenez now has another challenge ahead of him as he recovers from foot surgery. He had a bone spur in his left toe and is sidelined for the entire summer. He is on crutches and has a cast. But the garlic-native is glad to be home during his recovery.
“I haven’t been home for six months so it’s kinda nice,” Gimenez said. “It was definitely nice to have our first family dinner with all of us here. We haven’t done that for as long as I can remember.”
Gimenez will be home in Gilroy for the summer. He has a pin in his tow right now sticking out the side of his foot. He continues to move his toes back and forth, and pick up pieces on the ground with his toes as part of the rehab process.
“I’m not used to this. I’ve never been injured before. This is new for me,” said Gimenez, who plans for more success next season as a junior. “It’s definitely a different level. It’s a lot faster, but I got used to it. Now it’s just like another day. I go out to the park and have a good time.”
