Former ORU Catching Standout Makes Impact In First Big League Stint

Former ORU catching standout Jose Trevino will miss the rest of the season after successful shoulder surgery, but for one magical weekend, he gave Texas Rangers fans plenty of reasons to cheer.

"It was awesome. something you write about, can't make this stuff up. It was definitely storybook and an unbelievable weekend," he said.

Three days in June at Globe Life Park in Arlington changed Trevino’s life forever. Already riding an emotional high after the birth of his first son on June 10th, on June 15th, the former ORU standout got the call he had dreamed about his entire life - the Rangers wanted him in the big leagues.

"I think I was only supposed to be there 12 hours or something like that and head back. I got in my truck, hauled down to Arlington, almost ran out of gas. On the way to Arlington, I had a feeling I was going to play. For some reason, I was like, I have a feeling I'm going to play, I don't know why," Trevino said.

Trevino’s major league debut came that night in the second inning, pinch-hitting for starting catcher Carlos Perez, who had sprained an ankle.

The moment came as no surprise to those who were a part of his time at Oral Roberts, like his former coach, Ryan Folmar.

"If you know Jose, you know where he's from, and the work ethic that he has, for me, it was a matter of time. He's going to be up there and it's going to stay at some point. He's that kind of player," Folmar said.

Trevino's storybook weekend was just getting underway. The next day, Saturday the 16th, he made his first major league start.

"Bannie had come up to me and was like, ‘Hey, catching today.’ So, I was like alright, cool. So that night before I was going through scouting reports, doing all that I had to do, doing all my homework,” Trevino said.

With Texas down 2-1 in the 7th, Trevino came through in the clutch with his first big league hit, a game-tying RBI single to left.

"I knew the hit would come. It would come sooner or later. But I knew I needed to get that run in, and I think that was the main thing on my mind," he said.

Trevino didn't start on Sunday, but the brand-new dad would have the biggest moment of his baseball career on Father's Day. With the Rangers down a run in the bottom of the ninth, Trevino delivered a walk-off two-run single for a 13-12 Texas win.

"Going up to that at-bat, I was like something's happening. I know something is going to happen, something has to happen. Everything's lining up and I kind of just went from there and I trusted myself," Trevino said.

The incredible weekend was capped off by an emotional post-game interview. Tears flowed as the new father thought of his own father, who passed away while Trevino was playing at ORU.

"I know he would have been excited. He was definitely there that day. And I know I couldn't have done it without a little help from him. After the game, I was just looking for my mom. As soon as I was done with the interview, I ran down the tunnel and was looking for her and I just bawled in her arms. And she was like, you're blessed. You have a son here now, he's watching over you. We can accept that and we know that he's here with you," Trevino said.

"I think everybody kind of felt that moment with him,” said Folmar. “Knowing what he went through when he lost his dad, I was happy for him. Happy for him."

Now, after a successful taste of the big leagues, Trevino's drive to get back is even greater.

"I know that's definitely where I want to be. And being there, I think it proved to myself that I can play at that level. I feel like if I get a shot, I think I can help the team."