OF Omar Avalos Jr. (Father McGivney, 2027) had a memorable 2025 campaign - starting in the spring where he helped lead his high school squad to a second place finish in the state. He carried it into the summer with a strong showing at the Future Games for Team Select, followed by another impressive look at the Illinois State Games, committing to Southern Illinois - Edwardsville not long after. 

It’s easy to like the type of player that Avalos is, a sparkplug that never takes a play off. He’s a top of the order profile with pesky bat-to-ball skills and the ability to put the ball in play, but he also brings sneaky power to the table and will punish mistakes from the opposing pitcher. He has speed that makes him a premium defender in the outfield, as well as a menace on the basepaths with advanced instincts and feel. Look for Avalos to yet again play a large role in his team’s success this spring as they look to make another deep run to state. 

We recently had the chance to talk to Avalos about his recruitment process and much more, found below. 

Our Q&A 

Prep Baseball: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?

Omar: I knew the recruiting process wasn’t going to be easy, especially with the transfer portal. I was just looking for a place that had good academics and had that family environment. I was just looking for a place where I could try to make an impact right away when I get there.

PB: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?

O: Yes, When I first thought about it I thought I wanted to go far to play. But playing in front of my family and friends will be really cool. Having the ability to play D1 where I live is pretty cool because I don’t have to change much of my routine or schedule.

PB: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Where did the school you committed to first see you play?

O: Recruiting process probably started heating up 1-2 weeks after August 1st. I had a few schools reach out, but I didn’t want to rush at all especially being that soon after the recruiting could start. SIUE saw me during the high school season at Father McGivney. They were there to look at Kannon Kamp who was committed there.

PB: What do you like most about the program you chose, and what were the key factors in making your decision?

O: The things I liked most about SIUE was definitely the family style of school and the family Coach Lyons has made with the baseball team. Being close to home was another big factor with just the meals and people that are around me right now I can stay with for a while. Also with past Father McGivney baseball players and players I met were really welcoming.

PB: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?

O: Saint Louis University, Brown University and Navy. These were all great schools just something with me staying closer to home meant more to me

PB: Who is the best player you have faced in your state? What about them makes for a tough opponent?

O: Best player I have definitely faced is Jake Rifenburg from Benet Academy. He mixed in his stuff really well against us. His fastball had some really good run. The way he went about that game just was really under control against us.

PB: At what point in your career did you realize you were a college-caliber player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?

O: Seventh grade, I was playing up my age my entire life and I made the really good team for Extreme. Then, I went to Future Games the following year, did well and I knew this had to be something special. I just wanted to keep working and getting better year after year. Playing with good players also helped me to where I’m at now.

PB: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?

O: Be obsessed with the work and realize you’re going to fail. Baseball is already a sport of failure so don’t get hard on yourself for it. We all have those days where you do bad, but it matters how you come back the next day. Smile and also make it fun. The game is supposed to be fun so once you have fun with it everything will slow down and you’ll start to understand it.

PB: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?

O: Playing for Team Mexico in a high school WBC, whoever wins that tournament gets to go to the one in Japan. Playing with the best of the best from every country. We made it out of the group stage and lost in the quarter finals, but the experience of it was what I learned and playing for my country showed a lot more emotion.

PB: Preview your high school team's season for us. How do you feel your team will be?

O: I think we have a really good chance to be good again and go right back to the State Championship. We did lose a lot of seniors with a lot of new players having to step up now. It will be fun especially because we don’t have the lineup 1-9 everyone is going somewhere for school and a deep bullpen. But we have a lot of guys like two people equal one. Being in 2A will be a better challenge for us. I personally love being counted out this year and just trying to prove a lot of people wrong.

PB: How did the Future Games and the Illinois State Games affect your recruitment process? Did you receive more attention following the events?

O: Future Games definitely helped me a lot to get on the board for some schools to start reaching out to me. Playing there with every school in the country was so much fun and honestly relieved so much pressure because I knew they were there to see at least one of us. State Games is where SIUE also saw me play with a bunch of other schools. They reached out to me saying they were going to go watch me while I was there. 

PB: If you could steal any tool or quality from another player in the state, what would it be and who would it be from?

O: Probably height and arm strength from Kaden Wasniewski. The stuff he does is electric and makes it seem so easy. Great kid and hard worker. Everyone has problems against him.

PB: Who is the next talented young player to keep an eye on out of your high school or travel program?

O: For high school Aiden Willis, really lengthy kid that has put on a lot of weight. Really good pitcher, I think he will have a breakout year. Travel ball is probably Trey Hrasky, really athletic kid and can do a lot of really good things. Really good pitcher also.

PB: Did Prep Baseball assist in your recruiting? Whether it be through a showcase, tournament coverage, tweets, etc? If yes, please explain. 

O: Prep Baseball helped so much with the recruiting process for me. Always with a tweet or coverage from Southern Illinois. Every PBR thing I went to was a great event and great coverage after. All the tournaments I have gone to, they do an amazing job getting kids out there on social media.

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