Jackson Generals Starting From The Bottom In New District

When word spread around the county of the opening for a new head coach at Miami Jackson, Rafael Jiron knew this might be his chance. Coach Chief, as he’s known by his players, had spent the past five seasons as an assistant at Coral Gables and the opportunity to build a program at his alma mater was a deal he couldn’t pass up.

“I think it’s going to be better this season with [Coach] Chief because he’s teaching us how to play the game the right way,” junior second baseman Dariel Santana said. “He’s been working hard with us and this team has more chemistry and I think we’ll do better than last year.”

Jiron takes over a team that finished with an 8-13 record, losing to Archbishop Carroll in the District 4A-14 playoffs last season.

This year, the Generals move up to District 6A-16 and he’ll manage a roster loaded with ability, but short on experience and discipline.

“We have good talent that’s here already, we just have to take it out of them and work harder,” Jiron said.

The Jackson grad credits Coral Gables Manager Phil Wisser for showing him how to build a baseball program. Jiron learned from Wisser as he helped turn things around at Miami Springs and then to his current role with the Cavaliers. Now Jiron has a chance to show what he learned in turning around his alma mater.

He has changed the culture around the team and the players have taken notice. Despite his easygoing demeanor, Jiron is tough on his players and holds them more accountable for their actions.

“It’s tough [playing for Coach], you can’t give up,” sophomore pitcher Edgar Zapata said. “If you give up you’re off the team. You have to be strong, and you have to do as he tells you to do.”

The Generals will need discipline playing against teams like Belen Jesuit, Mater Academy, TERRA Institute, and Doral Academy in the new district. Jiron has warned his team that this district will be much tougher this time around but he believes they must see for themselves when the season begins.

“We have a pretty tough schedule so these guys can learn and get that experience,” Jiron said. “You’re not just going to show up and guys are going to give you a win. They’re actually going to think you’re an easy win.”

Jackson will be short on pitching heading into 2014. The lack of depth will force the Generals to keep players in the field on days they pitch, a move that will test their conditioning during the season.

“We’re thin on the pitching staff and we’re going to have to have guys go two ways because of that,” Jiron stated. “The stress they put on their arm, sometimes you may need them to pitch a big game and then we have another game tomorrow, and then their arms are probably still sore to have them throw across a diamond.”

Look for players like senior Julio Martinez and Zapata to take the lead on the mound for the Generals. The team doesn’t have a pitcher that will light up the radar gun, but the staff is only focused on throwing strikes.

“We work on bullpen and focus on our mechanics that Chief has taught us, so when we get to the game we can just apply it,” Zapata said.

On offense, Jackson plans to maximize their team speed by using a small-ball approach at the plate. Junior second baseman Dariel Santana will set the tone in the lineup this year.

“He carries himself like a professional on and off the field, he pushes his guys and he’s not a big talker, but leads by example,” Jiron said of Santana.

The Generals won’t be timid on the base paths this year as they plan to put a lot of pressure on opposing teams defenses.

“I think Jackson is going to be an aggressive team on the bases this year,” Santana admitted.

Last season the Generals stole 129 bases on 136 attempts, with four guys stealing at least 10 bags. This included junior Fransisco Brenes, who swiped 14 bases last season. Without a bonafide home run hitter in the lineup, speed and execution are crucial at the plate.

“In the fall we’ve gotten a lot of games in and really worked just fundamental baseball,” said Jiron. “We have to execute and play small-ball.”

In their current district, the top four seeds will make the playoffs, something the Generals believe is well within reach. The roster is stacked with juniors who got their first taste of varsity action together last season.

“Last year we had a young team with a lot of sophomores, now this year we have a lot of juniors and we’ve played together for a year already so that’s an improvement,” Santana said.

Senior Brayan Ruiz (.333, 12 RBI), and sophomore Joel Rivera will play a factor in the Generals lineup.

To compete in a tougher district, Jackson’s players know they will have to count on each other to have any type of success.

“In order to beat those teams we have to play together as a team,” Santana said.

Look for the Generals to endure some growing pains as they compete in their first season in Class 6A. Jackson will look to overcome their shortcomings and sneak up on teams to grab a spot in the district playoffs.

“That’s our goal to make playoffs this year, and I think we have a shot to make one of the top four seeds of the district playoffs,” Jiron said.

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