Ace Performer

College Park’s Trahan is beast on the mound

Luke Trahan is committed to Dallas Baptist baseball. Photo by yourconroenews.com

Originally appeared on Vype.com.

Stealing the headlines at College Park has been super-hooper Quentin Grimes, who is committed to Kansas. As the basketball season moves into baseball, the Cavs have another star in Luke Trahan. The 6-foot-3 pitcher is one of the top aces in the city and makes College Park a tough opponent in the competitive District 12-6A.

VYPE caught up with Trahan before the season. Getting the inside scoop on the talented righty.

VYPE: When did you realize you could make a career out of baseball?

Trahan: I realized it at Orwall at 12 years-old, when I had a leg up on everyone else. I hit 75 mph and hit most of the home runs.

VYPE: What are the goals for your team in the upcoming season?

Trahan: We need to grow as a team, so that we don’t fall short or get out early in the playoffs like the two previous years. The ultimate team goal is to go to state and I feel we have all the tools to do that. The pitching, fielding and hitting all needs to come together as one for us to be confident in the playoffs.

VYPE: Where do you think you will be playing in the field this year?

Trahan: Sophomore year, I started at third base and moved to right field junior year. This year I am going to play wherever they need me to lead my team. I’ll be the ace of our pitching staff.

VYPE: What was your most memorable moment in your baseball career at College Park so far?

Trahan: During sophomore year Kingwood, College Park and The Woodlands were at a three-way tie to be in the playoffs. I went in to pitch with bases loaded last inning. I struck out the last batter to win the game and secured our spot in playoffs.

VYPE: What led up to you committing to Dallas Baptist University?

Trahan: I went to DBU to play in a showcase with my travel team—Twelve baseball. I pitched one inning before it got rained out and the DBU recruiting coordinator invited me to come to team practice. I fell in love with campus and how welcoming the other players there. Also DBU has done very well in the past and I think I can be a part of helping them improve and ultimately get to Omaha for the College World Series. I’m very excited to go there and grow my relationship with Christ and grow as a baseball player. Coach Heefner and Coach Fitzgerald are amazing and know the game very well as well as Coach McCarty improving me individually as a pitcher.

VYPE: What is it like playing with your twin brother?

Trahan: I always pitch better with him behind the plate, he knows what I want and I know what he wants. Our connection is unmatched. I don’t know if he will play baseball in college but I believe he wants to.

VYPE: What is something no one knows about you?

Trahan: I love to fish I started when I was young with my grandpa, and now it just brings back the good memories with my family.

Mackenzie Malatesta is a student at The Woodlands High School and a part of the VYPE U Internship Program. To learn more about how you can become a VYPE U Intern, click here! 

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It's Draft SZN! Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images.

On Thursday June 22, the NBA will hold their annual draft. With the Rockets owning the number four overall pick, you'd think things would be looking up for them. However, in a draft where the top three players are all expected to be immediate impact guys, the drop begins where the Rockets are selecting. Armed with some young talent, cap space, and a new head coach, the Rockets are looked at as a team on the rise. But what will help contribute to that rise?

When you have assets, you have options. There are three main options I see here for the Rockets with number four: keep the pick and select the guy you think will work best moving forward; trade up to select the guy they feel they missed out on that isn't a punk Frenchie who dislikes Houston; or trade the pick for an established star. The other option is trading the pick for a good player and a future pick/s. Let's take a look at the options:

Option 1: Keeping the pick means you're drafting the leftovers. Those leftovers start with Amen Thompson. He's the guy I believe can come in and help sooner rather than later. At 6'7 and 215 pounds, he has an NBA body. His skill set can come in handy because he's played point guard. This team could use a true point guard, but Thompson isn't exactly a traditional point. He has the size of a wing player, which allows him to see over the top of the defense. His outside shooting is abysmal and needs a vast improvement. To me, adjusting to life as a pro without his twin brother Ausar, another good draft prospect himself, will be difficult. Overall, I believe he's the guy to take at four if they decide to stay.

Option 2: Trading up to get Scoot Henderson or Brandon Miller may prove to be difficult. Both teams picking ahead of the Rockets have their point guards. Charlotte wants to find Lamelo Ball a running mate and have their eyes rumored to be set on Miller. Portland is trying their best to keep Dame Lillard happy. The Rockets would be best served to trade with either team willing to move down for whatever they offer, provided it's worthwhile. Portland was just in the playoffs the last few years and aren't as far out as some would think. They're the ones I'd eye to trade with. Speaking of Portland and Dame…

Option 3: The Rockets need a point guard and Dame may be looking to get out. Help them start their rebuild and bring Dame to Houston. Or, how about the Jaylen Brown rumors? Fred VanVleet has a player option for next season, then becomes an unrestricted free agent. There are a few options of finding veteran help around the league, especially at the point. Problem is, are any of these team willing to take the Rockets' offers? It'd start with number four, and include other assets as well. This option makes sense if the organization believes the roster, with whatever vet addition they make via trade, is playoff ready.

Option 4: The last option I thought about is to trade the pick for a first rounder in next year's draft and a decent player. I see this as a last resort of sorts. But only if they do not feel comfortable with whatever player they may take. That, and if they want to save cap space for next free agency period. Not having a first rounder next year isn't as bad as one might think. The team will need to make the necessary moves this offseason to ensure that won't be an issue next draft. FOMO is real, especially when a team is rebuilding and can't use one of the best/cheapest forms of acquiring top talent.

I talked with my good friend “TC.” The guy loves basketball and even hips me to a bunch of stuff. He wants them to move up in the draft for Scoot or Miller. While he is a James Harden fan, he doesn't necessarily want him back. He wouldn't mind it, but it's not his first option. I've spoken with a lot of native Houstonians about this. They all want a winner sooner than later, but have different philosophies on how to get there. Personally, I say options two and three are my faves. Trade the pick for help, rookie or vet, and go from there. I guess we'll have to wait three more weeks before we find out. Or will we…

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