EVERYTHING JUSTIN VOSSOS HAS BEEN GIVEN, HE’S EARNED.
From his freshman year, when he led State Runner-up Ridge Point in hitting, to now, as he enters his senior campaign with a full-ride ticket to play at Texas A&M in the fall — Vossos works.
“There’s something about putting in all the work after hours and having success in the game that I have fallen in love with,” Vossos said. “A lot of people think my talent is just given, but they don’t know what I do behind the scenes.”
Behind the scenes he is getting up at 5:15 a.m. three times a week to work out. It means going to the field every day and putting in time with the bat or glove.
“What motivates me is seeing success, and looking at the long-term goal in my life, which is to make it to the MLB,” Vossos said. “I know that doesn’t come easy, so it motivates me to work my hardest every day and get better every single rep.”
The 6-foot, 185-pound shortstop hit .252 with 25 RBIs, 10 doubles, and had seven stolen bases for the Panthers last year. Vossos’s strengths are his aggressiveness and determination. His gifts are speed, quick-twitch muscles and hand-eye coordination.
Vossos worked on his strength during the offseason by lifting with trainer Eric Grimsley three times a week, then with a friend two other days. When he wasn’t lifting, Vossos was in the cages, honing his swing. And when he wasn’t in either of those places, he was on the field, perfecting his hands and footwork.
The work hasn’t stopped since being called up to varsity as a freshman after one junior varsity scrimmage.
“There was a junior in front of me and I just put in the work every day after practice to try and rn the starting spot,” Vossos said. “After a few long hard weeks, I showed Coach who I was, and he eventually gave me a chance one district game. I showed out, and ever since then I haven’t missed a game."
