Future Looks Bright for Kangs' Fearsome Power Hitter Theo Alexander

MAKING THE major leagues is a long ball from high school play, but a kid wearing No. 24 on the team is swinging for that fence, and prompting fans in the bleachers sit upright to watch -- along with a crew of pro scouts usually standing by.

Even for prep baseball, Theo Alexander’s statistics so far this season are amazing. In 11 games and 43 plate appearances, he’s batting .500 with 20 runs batted in and 15 hits, including two doubles, three triples and four home runs, one of them a game-winning, two-out grand slam late in Monday’s 13-10 victory over cross-town rival Juanita. Throw in 11 walks and his on-base percentage is a remarkable .605.

“I think he’s got unlimited potential,” says Derek Bingham, coach of the LW Kangaroos for the last eight seasons. “The thing about him is, he loves baseball. He’s continually working at it.”

By all accounts, the rocket Alexander launched into the Monday night sky over the right centerfield fence went at least 400 feet.

“You had to see it to believe it,” says Bingham. “Nobody even knows where that ball landed.”

Says Alexander: “I was just thinking, drive the ball. I tried not to think in that situation, especially with two outs.”

At 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, batting on the left side and wearing the double-dozen on his jersey, comparisons with that legendary former Seattle Mariner are inevitable. Alexander doesn’t mind at all. Growing up, Ken Griffey Jr., was his idol. In fact, Alexander seems to relish the thought.

“There was nothing not to like about that guy,” Alexander says. “He is the perfect baseball player. The only difference is he throws left, I throw right.”

His swing is definitely sweet and reminiscent of Griffey’s.

“I don’t need to label him the next Griffey or anything like that,” Coach Bingham says. “He’s got enough pressure on him. He’s enjoying playing baseball and we all are too. The other players are coming up to is level. Everybody is playing well.”

NOW IN HIS senior year, the Kangs’ No. 24 seems to have that same presence. Every time Griffey stepped up to the plate, everybody knew something special might happen. With Lake Washington atop the KingCo 3A standings at five wins and no losses (9-2 overall), all eyes are on Theo Alexander when he’s at bat.

“It’s hard not to think of him hitting a home run every time he’s up,” says Bingham. “But the most important thing is, he’s not swinging at bad pitches. They’re (opposing pitchers) not pitching to him, but he’s taking his walks and capitalizing on every mistake they make.”

At the same time, for every 10,000 kids who dream of making the big leagues, there are 9,999.9 broken hearts, even among those with outstanding skills. It takes a certain dedication and sense of joy about the game, and Alexander, who has committed to play for UC Santa Barbara next year, seems to have both. He also benefits from the unstinting support of a devoted mother, Erin Alexander, who raised him without his father, and grandmother, Marianne Alexander.

They're at almost all of his games, and he plays year-round, 100-130 games a year. He's been playing since Little League, and scouts have been watching him since he was 12.

“Baseball is my life,” he says. “I don’t do anything but go to school, play baseball and go to sleep. It’s just special, just going out on the yard every day, especially when it’s warm out. It’s just special.”

His mother is too, Alexander says. She means “literally everything” to him. “She cares about everyone else more than herself. Even if it takes time out of her day, she will do something to make others happy. She just cares. I could not be where I am with anyone other than her.”

The affection is clearly mutual. “He’s a great kid,” says Erin Alexander. “He’s never been cocky or anything. He gets along with everybody.”

No doubt his mom has seen him through some trying times. Coach Bingham says Alexander missed some games last season, but bounced back stronger.

“He missed some time last year due to some off-field stuff,” Bingham says. “I’ve had multiple conversations with him about how he’s handled himself, how he has practiced and how he’s become a leader. By example, on the field, he has done that this year.

“Every time in anyone’s life there’s adversity, on or off the field, you can learn from it or pout and be frustrated. He’s probably better off because of the adversity he’s gone through.”

TODAY ALEXANDER appears confident, but he is not content. “I feel good. But I still feel like there is room for improvement. You can’t settle for anything. I need to improve on making more solid contact, my defense and my throwing arm.”

No doubt the major league scouts have noticed any weaknesses, as well as Alexander's skill and dedication to the game. They’ve shown up at most games this season; 15 at a game last week against Liberty and four or five at the game against Juanita.

Alexander says they’re not there just because of him. His best friend on the team, left fielder Victor Mayorquin, also boasts serious skills. He’s fast and also hits with power, belting his own grand slam the very next game after Alexander’s, against Interlake on Wednesday, along with six doubles, eight RBIs and a .351 average. Zach Johnson is another Kangs power hitter, with two homers, a triple, three doubles and a .316 average.  

Alexander thinks Lake Washington can go far this year, with a good chance at the KingCo 3A title and maybe even a run for the state championship. “I feel like both are possible. One through nine, I think we have the depth to do it.”

Alexander acknowledges that last season didn’t go as well as it might have. “I feel like I didn’t live up to my potential. My head was messed up. Now it’s more like a fun thing because I know they’ve (his teammates) got my back.”

What comes after this season remains to be seen. But Alexander, a young senior who won’t turn 18 until August,  says he intends on baseball being a major part of the rest of his life.

Bingham thinks Alexander’s chances of making that happen in a big league way are good. “It’s hard to look at how he’s playing and how he’s put together and not think that if he’s not capable of making the major leagues, who is? He’s got a long way to go, and we’re all looking to watch him this season.

"I don't think people realize how hard he works. This is not by accident."

Asked what people should know about him right now, Alexander says: “There’s a lot more to come. I haven’t begun to tap into my potential. I’m still a kid.”

The next chance for him to show that potential will come Friday night against the Mount Si Wildcats (4-0/7-1), last year's conference and state champs, at 's Lee Johnson Field in Kirkland, 7 p.m.