Valencia’s MLB debut with Pittsburgh Pirates is a dream come true
Dreams truly came true for Valencia High School alum Jared Oliva, who made it to major leagues as the Pittsburgh Pirate this week.
The outfielder made his Major League debut as a pinch hitter Monday night before making his first start in left field the following night.
“The whole family knows this boy was born to play baseball, and he does,” said his mother, Beth Oliva. “It’s been a long time in the making.”
Oliva has been playing baseball for nearly 20 years, starting his t-ball days at the Hart Baseball Complex when he was 5 years old.
Overcome obstacles
In Valencia, Oliva saw limited playtime as a junior and senior and said in a previous Signal interview that his “story” was “a little different” from most of the top Division 1 players, but that he “always knew he would be a battering player and a school can help. “
Valencia High School graduate Jared Oliva made his major league debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night. courtesy
“As a parent, you see what your child is capable of and how passionate they are, but life isn’t always that simple,” said Beth. “The way there was not always smooth. He faced many obstacles. Fortunately, he pushed past these obstacles. He knew what he wanted and went after it. ”
Oliva continued to play at the University of Arizona, which was his dream school. Then, in 2017, he was a seventh-round draft pick for the Pirates and made his Double-A debut last season.
Since then, Beth said her son realized the importance of showing children that they too can beat odds.
“We are overjoyed and proud of him,” she said. “There are no words.”
Valencia High School graduate Jared Oliva made his major league debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night. courtesy
For Oliva’s parents, Monday night was a high point in all of his blood, sweat, and tears over the years.
“It was an amazing day yesterday,” she said when she started crying. “You don’t know how many people put down roots for your son until something like this happens.”
On Tuesday, the Olivas traveled to Pittsburgh to stand in front of the stadium while their son lives his dream.
“It’s all we can do, but it’s very important that we see him and share this moment with him,” she added.
Jared Oliva plays for Valencia in 2013. Dan Watson / The Signal
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