George Carralejo, recently named the 2026 ABCA/Soldier Sports Pacific Association Division National Assistant Coach of the Year, is using the recognition to advocate for a fundamental change in how young athletes are developed across the country. Rather than measuring success by results alone, Carralejo emphasizes 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 has spent nearly two decades coaching high school and college baseball, developing pitchers who understand the blend of physical skills and mental composure under pressure. His message comes as youth sports increasingly emphasize an unhealthy volume of games, putting strain on young bodies.
"I understand the love of competition," he said. "But 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."
The issue has become increasingly visible across 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 in their careers. Meanwhile, USA Baseball and Major League Baseball's Pitch Smart program recommend 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. We need to develop an entire roster of pitchers to cover many games in a short period. But now we rely on the best 2-3 arms all weekend, and create specialized pitchers at 10 years old."
As part of his awareness effort, Carralejo encourages players, parents, and coaches to adopt practical habits: focus on multiple sports to build better athletes, embrace failure to build mental toughness, stack small wins by celebrating incremental improvement, have a growth mindset focused on the long term, and enjoy the car ride home.
"When I get pitchers coming to play for me in college, I want athletes. Guys who know how to compete and value winning," Carralejo said. "How many parents ask their kids if they won or lost? Not many. It's just how many did you score?"
Carralejo also hopes coaches teach 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. A strong foundation builds confidence, and confidence helps players compete."
The American Baseball Coaches Association began recognizing National Assistant Coaches of the Year in 1999 and honors assistant coaches across multiple divisions based on coaching expertise, recruiting, loyalty, and respect for 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."
Players, parents, and coaches can support healthier athletic development by learning Pitch Smart guidelines, encouraging proper rest, rewarding consistent improvement, and focusing on building mentally resilient athletes.
