Grants-based athlete commits to UNM baseball

GRANTS, N.M. — Isaac Gallegos, a 19-year-old currently playing baseball for Trinidad State Junior College in Trinidad, Colorado, recently committed to signing with the University of New Mexico to further both his academic and baseball careers. Gallegos’s journey with baseball started in Grants, New Mexico.

Gallegos started playing baseball when he was about six years old. Gallegos officially started his 13-year baseball journey by playing on the Marlins Grants City League team. As he grew older, Gallegos started playing for traveling teams, such as the Knuckleheads, T-Birds, and Mac Elite 2020. Gallegos played for the Grants High School Pirates baseball team all four years of high school, up until graduating with the Class of 2020.

When asked what Gallegos has grown to love most about the sport over the years, he said, “I love the intrinsic feeling it gives me and the overall adversity it constantly teaches you.” Gallegos plays the position of pitcher.

Following graduation, Galle gos decided to pursue an education and his baseball career by attending the two-year Trinidad State Junior College in Trinidad, Colorado. According to Gallegos, the ups, downs, and unknowns that came with competing in college sports in a COVID-19 world was difficult at times, but the experience of meeting and playing with new people made it all worth it.

Gallegos, currently a sophomore, will be finishing up his time at Trinidad State Junior College in the Spring of 2022 with an Associate of Arts degree. With this in mind, Gallegos has already pushed the ball rolling for future plans in a big way.

Gallegos recently announced his commitment to play for the University of New Mexico’s baseball team, starting in the Fall of 2022. As far as academics go, the young athlete plans on pursuing a degree in Business from UNM.

“It feels great,” Gallegos said of the opportunity. “That’s what you work for every day, with that as one of the goals… to be in this position. Coming from Grants, you definitely aren’t handed any thing so that’s what makes it ten times more special.”

When asked what words of advice Gallegos had for any of the athletes or just kids with big dreams who live in Grants and want to chase their ambitions the way he has so far, Gallegos said, “I would say you have to have relentless aspirations but enjoy every second of it because it is something that becomes a main hobby. Surround yourself with the right support systems and trust the timing of everything. Grants is not a big town so you aren’t handed the same opportunities so you have to stay determined. But overall, fall in love with what you do and the journey is worth it.”

Gallegos expressed an abundance of gratitude towards his family, friends, coaches, and all those who made an impact on his life thus far. The Grants-based athlete is looking forward to his future with UNM and seeing what all is in store for him there as a Lobo.