“Playing at Cerritos was an unbelievably valuable opportunity for me,” says Dodgers Catcher Rod Barajas.

“I learned so much from my time there, playing for Coach Gaylord and all the other guys. I remember the camaraderie of all the players and the great friendships I made. It was a great place to play and learn the game and I will always remember my time there.”

Barajas, in his 12 year as a major leaguer, was stand out player at Cerritos College during the 95-96 seasons.

He spent his freshman season at Cerritos as the team’s first baseman and designated hitter. He says being able to learn 1st base gave him the opportunity to be more versatile and make himself available during emergency situations.

After batting .347 with four home runs and 33 RBI, he was named to the 1st Team All-South Coast Conference as a DH.

He disproved the idea of sophomore slump and batted .387 with nine home runs and 45 RBI.

 During his tenure at Cerritos, the team was able to reach the state championships once, however they lost to Rancho Santiago 12-2.

The Arizona Diamondbacks signed the righty catcher as an undrafted free agent in 1996 after he attended a tryout at Golden West College.

“I remember getting a call from (former Falcon) Luis Medina, who was the West Coast scouting supervisor for the Diamondbacks,” said Cerritos baseball head coach Ken Gaylord.

“He asked me if we had anyone who could come for the tryout. Well, even though Rod was being recruited by such schools as Miami, Texas and Oklahoma State, there was no certainty that he would be able to get in to any of them. He did a great job at the tryout and was offered a contract right away,” He recalls.

He played for the Lethbridge Black Diamonds of the Pioneer League (Rk), the lowest level of the minors as a rookie.

After hitting .337 in 51 games, he was able to play his way back to the top of the minor leagues in the Diamondbacks’ system.