Gabe Natividad
The junior college route has proven to be quite effective for athletes still in search of making their Division I dreams come true.
Two 2022 Douglas High School graduates took advantage of their opportunities in junior college and have recently announced their moves to the Division 1 ranks.
Gabe Natividad, who was the Class 5A North defensive player of the year as a senior with the Tigers, will be attending Winthrop University in the fall after starting his collegiate baseball trajectory at San Joaquin Delta College.
Meanwhile James Hubbard, who was a first team all-region selection as a pitcher in 2022, will be making a similar leap from Scottsdale Community College to University of Texas, San Antonio.
NATIVIDAD EXCELS AFTER REDSHIRTING
Natividad was one of the premier shortstops in Northern Nevada when he left high school and his skills have continued to be on display in his two years at SJDCC.
The Douglas High graduate redshirted as a freshman, adapting to more practice reps than in-game action, but set himself up to get noticed in his first full year on the diamond.
In 45 games played, Natividad hit for a .284 average with 12 doubles, three home runs and a .440 slugging percentage while holding down arguably the most important defensive position on the infield.
“I took the JUCO route, which I don’t regret at all. … The route really helped me develop,” said Natividad. “The culture there was unbelievable.”
The Mustangs fell in the CCCAA state championship game this past spring.
‘The style of play they taught me, the game sped up a lot more,” Natividad said. “(Reed Peters) built a crazy winning culture there.”
Natividad, who will have three years of eligibility left when he steps on campus at Winthrop, spent the summer playing in the Mid America League with the Texarkana Rhinos.
He earned player of the week honors while playing with the Rhinos with a .432 average, eight RBIs and a 1.124 OPS with a home run.
He got used to traveling frequently after SJDCC wasn’t able to play games on its home field this past season.
Earning a spot on a Division 1 roster has been Natividad’s dream and he hopes to compete for a starting job right out of the gate.
“They talked to me a lot about the opportunity I’d have. The infield was wide open,” Natividad said. “Hopefully I get there and put up good numbers and I’ll have an everyday starting spot.”
HUBBARD’S STUFF LEADS HIM TO UTSA
Looking back on his senior year, Douglas High School alum and right handed pitcher James Hubbard acknowledged it was his fastball that allowed him to be successful.
“In high school, it was mainly fastballs. I could get fastballs by mostly anyone in that league,” said Hubbard. “There are a lot of dogs in JUCO. They are going to be able to hit that so you have to put your mind to that work.”
Hubbard felt his changeup played off the movement of his fastball as the two pitches work in unison to throw off opposing hitters.
The speed difference allows him to fool hitters’ timing and, with the addition of a slider, he’s been able to keep opponents guessing.
In 56 innings of work as a sophomore at Scottsdale Community College, Hubbard fanned 69 batters showcasing strikeout potential in his stuff while leading the team in K’s.
“Scottsdale was a great place for me. The coaches were very open to helping me. They knew I was there for a reason,” said Hubbard. “I had a little problem in the fall with control issues, but my coach really ran me through some things I needed to do.”
Hubbard allowed 23 walks in those 56 innings, but his ability to battle through psychological aspect of the game.
“It was mental, honestly. You just have to push through it,” Hubbard said.
Hubbard passed on a chance to play in the Northwoods League — a collegiate league, which has featured more than 200 eventual professional players — this summer to settle in at UTSA, but hopes to get another opportunity soon.
Hubbard, who will have two years of college eligibility left, says his focus is to prove he’s MLB draft material once he’s eligible after his next season.
“Set a point to prove. Next summer I’m going to play in a summer collegiate league. I’m not sure which one yet, but I’m going to try to go to the Draft League. It’ll be a step, but I’m really focusing on that,” said Hubbard.
(James Hubbard)