We open up the Pre-Season Players to Watch lists with our picks at 10u. These players have made names for themselves with their play last Spring or this Fall.  We expect big things from these young men as they lead their teams toward National Championships! We are sure there will be alot of new names for Post-Season honors but look for these young men to remain in the mix all year long.  We start out our list of players to watch with our Picks for Pre-Season Player of the Year.  This was almost too hard to call as any of our 4 finalist when on the mound is an auto W for their teams, unless they are facing each other! Finally we got it down to the two that we feel are the very best! They matched up in the Fall and left the game after 6 innings with their teams tied and who are we to break the tie?

Our first Pre-Season Player of the Year for Texas is Aaron Nixon of Team Citius USA!

The Cobra, this kid can do it all; hit, pitch and play shortstop.  He was given the nickname Cobra because when he pitches, you can hear the ball “hiss” at you.  This kid fascinates coaches with his big game ability on the mound and is recognized as one of the best overall players in the country.  His favorite pitcher is Texas born Nolan Ryan and his favorite team is the Texas Rangers.  Aaron is a battle tested 10U pitcher that can even shut down some 11U Major rosters.  He has pitched in numerous championship games on the biggest stage for his age group and possesses a 60 plus mph fastball and low 50s breaking pitch.  In the 2011 USSSA Elite 32 Quarter-finals, Aaron’s team was up 4-3 in the fifth inning against the then TBS number one ranked team with runners on second and third with nobody out.  Aaron got the call to close out the game on the mound.  Aaron recorded five strikeouts in two innings and his team eliminated the TBS number one ranked team and went on the place third at the Elite 32.   Aaron is the type of player that every coach wishes they had because of his determination and love for the game.  When most kids are playing video games, “the “Cobra” is out training and working to be the best in the country.  His favorite quote is, “Hard work beats talent, when talent does not work hard!”  We expect big things from Aaron for years to come.

Our Second Pre-Season Player of the Year for Texas is Josh Stephens of Heroes Team Reebok!

Josh Stephan is sure to be a player to reckon with in 2012. Josh is the ace pitcher on a deep pitching staff and a huge bat in the middle of a Heroes Team Reeboks potent line up. Josh has grown up in the city of Grand Prairie,Tx. and played select baseball since the age of 6 years old. The majority of Josh's baseball experience has been playing up in age with this being his second season at the 10u Major level, last season playing with DBAT Mansfield 10u major team and also a part of the Heroes 10u major roster that won the 2011 AAYBA World Series in Dallas/Ft.Worth. We look for huge things from Josh as he leads Heroes Team Reebok into 2012  as they travel to the most competitive tournaments in the region to prepare for the 2012 Elite 32.

Unanimous First Team

Alejandro "AJ" Garcia

Evan Godwin

Hudson Luce

Pre-Season First Team

Dominique Barker

Elijah Bear

Tyler Beard

Julian Brock

Joshua Doelitsch

Gilbert Escobedo

Jace Grady
Anthony Guerrero
Oscar Hernandez

Christian Holloway

Joe Lopez

Nicholas Luckett

Mason Marriott

Matthew Mejia

Trhea Morse

Braden Norris

Austin Olson

Luis Rios

Guillermo Sauceda

Talon Simmons

Ricardo Suarez

Campbell Sullivan

Cade Sumbler

Kaeden Trinkle

Masyn Winn