George Carralejo, recently honored as the 2026 ABCA/Soldier Sports Pacific Association Division National Assistant Coach of the Year, is using the recognition to call for a fundamental change in how young athletes are developed. Rather than measuring success solely by results, Carralejo emphasizes the importance of player development and skill acquisition over the volume of games played.
"The award is a tremendous honor," said Carralejo. "But what matters most to me is helping young players build skills that last. I'd like to see our youth parents take a step back and focus on the big picture, which is improvement over time and understanding the lessons that are learned during times of failure as well as success."
Carralejo, who has spent nearly two decades coaching high school and college baseball, develops pitchers who blend physical skills with decision-making, composure, and execution under pressure. His message comes as youth sports increasingly emphasize a high volume of games, putting pressure on young bodies.
"I understand the love of competition. I love to compete, but I also believe in the development of skills and you can get 100 ground balls in a practice, you might get 3 in a game. I do believe we need to spend more time on practice development," he said.
The issue is particularly visible in youth baseball. According to the American Sports Medicine Institute, pitching while fatigued significantly increases the risk of injury. Research also shows that pitchers who regularly exceed recommended pitch counts are more likely to experience serious arm injuries later. Meanwhile, USA Baseball and Major League Baseball's Pitch Smart program recommends age-based pitch count limits and proper recovery to reduce overuse injuries.
Carralejo believes many risks can be reduced by redefining success. "We are playing a lot of weekend tournaments. Ok, then we need to develop an entire roster of pitchers, so we can cover that many games in a short period. This wasn't unheard of years ago, when our starting SS was our best athlete, so they also pitched; but now we want to rely on the best 2-3 arms all weekend, and then create PO's at 10 years old."
As part of his awareness effort, Carralejo encourages players, parents, and coaches to focus on multiple sports to build better athletes, embrace failure to build mental toughness, stack small wins, have a growth mindset, and enjoy the car ride home. He also stresses the importance of teaching the mental side of sports alongside physical development.
"The players who perform at advanced ages are the ones who stay composed when the game gets difficult," he said. "A strong foundation builds confidence. Confidence helps players compete."
The American Baseball Coaches Association began recognizing National Assistant Coaches of the Year in 1999 and honors assistant coaches based on coaching expertise, recruiting, loyalty, and respect for players and the game. Carralejo will be recognized during the 83rd annual ABCA Convention in Chicago in January 2027.
Carralejo hopes the recognition sparks a larger conversation about sustainable player development. "If this award encourages one more coach to develop players more thoughtfully, or one more young athlete to stay patient with their development, that's a win," he said. "The goal isn't to create the greatest player. It's to help create people who learn to compete with confidence, and enjoy the game for years to come."
