COOL, CALM AND COLLECTED: Alief Taylor’s Calderon Poised to Shape Program’s Turning Point

MOMENTUM AND BELIEF ARE BEGINNING TO TAKE SHAPE AT ALIEF TAYLOR AS THE LIONS MOVE TOWARD A NEW SEASON — AND EVER CALDERON FIGURES TO BE RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF IT.

Contributing on both the mound and in the infield, Calderon heads into his senior season at a pivotal moment for the ball club. The Lions are still working to reestablish themselves in the district conversation, but the team has an opportunity to start piecing wins together under first-year head coach Arthur Jenkins.

The game has not always been part of Calderon’s life, but once it entered the picture, it quickly became a driving force.

“Baseball first became a passion of mine when I watched the 2017 Astros win the World Series, which made me want to start playing,” Calderon said. “I’m usually a competitive person, so my drive to be the best has kept me in that pursuit.”

That fandom still shows today, with Calderon citing Astros stars Jeremy Peña, Yordan Álvarez, and Jose Altuve among the players he has admired.

Like many young athletes, Calderon’s early years came with growing pains.

“It hasn’t been easy, but I’ve been able to trust in my ability more as the years have gone by,” Calderon said. “Going from middle school ball to high school varsity as a freshman, I was very nervous. But the more I played, I just got used to the rhythm.”

That confidence culminated in one of the defining moments of his high school career a year ago – a campaign that saw the RHP receive an all-district honorable mention.

“There have been multiple highlights in my time at Alief Taylor,” Calderon said. “But I’d have to say that my favorite one was throwing a perfect-game shutout last season against Willowridge. Moments like those don’t come often, so you have to savor it when they do.”

From a team standpoint, Calderon has a clear picture in mind as the Lions look to get a competitive streak started.

“It starts with discipline and commitment,” he said. “We have the dependable players we need to win, so this is our chance to start putting it together with a new coach.”

As for what comes next, Calderon remains focused on both his athletic and professional future.

“Hopefully, I can begin to get scouted for baseball and start to make a career out of it,” he said. “If not, the plan is to go to a trade school, get a certification in HVAC, and go right into the job field.”

But in the short term, Calderon’s attention remains on the season ahead — defined by opportunity.