What are the keys for the team to have a successful 2024 campaign?
When we get too focused on the results, we usually miss what is most important. So for us, the key to a successful season is staying process-oriented. Staying focused on what we can control. Our players at Mesa are here to be encouraged in their moral values, uplift their families, to make an impact within the community, graduate from college, win championships, and play professional baseball. Everything we do is in pursuit of that. 

What was, if any, the biggest ‘missing piece’ from last season?
I do not think there was a missing piece from last season. Each season, each game, each day brings its own set of challenges and adversities and how we respond to those as a team will determine where we end up.

Have we addressed that missing piece from last season?
In my 12 seasons as a player or coach at Mesa College, our teams have been filled with great baseball players and even better people. I think this year falls right in line with that. Anyone of our student-athletes can fulfill a multitude of roles at any given time.

Who were the key losses through matriculation last season?
Every player plays a special role on each team, so each student-athlete who matriculated this past season is missed but they all still stay in contact and stop by when in town to impart wisdom on the new guys, share what current players should expect at the next level, and this is a Mesa Baseball tradition that has gone back to Coach Sanclemente’s teams in the 1960’s. The Mesa baseball alumni are a proud group with a lasting legacy. In the past 60 years, Mesa has had over 100 alumni play professional baseball and over 600 transfer to 4-year institutions. 

Tell me about this year's recruiting class, and who you expect to contribute immediately. 
Each player has a special and unique role. On any particular day that job could be to bat 4th, be a starting pitcher, a bullpen catcher, or compile an opposing pitcher scouting report. I see every recruit contributing to this year’s team.

What are the goals for the upcoming season? 
The goals remain the same. We want to develop our student-athletes on and off the field. Our goal is for our Student-Athletes to take pride in their moral values, care about their family, strive to make an impact within the community, obtain a college degree, win championships, and play professional baseball. Everything we do is in pursuit of that.   

Any player (s), you expect to make a big jump from his/ her performance last season? 
Every returner has made tremendous strides. I look forward to all of them continuing to grow. 

Any new coaches join your team and tell me about him/her?
Two new coaches this year. Isaiah Nunez and Pat Capone. They both love baseball and love people who are required to coach within our baseball program. They complement our returning coaching staff of Trevin Esquerra, Jake Rico, and Steve Pryor very well.