Baseball: Before heading to Notre Dame, Moreno looking for big season at Montini
Estevan Moreno can lay claim to many distinctions in his family.
He's the youngest of three siblings.
The Montini junior shortstop is the best baseball player in his family. His older brother, Martin Moreno, was an accomplished player at Bartlett and currently playing infield at Elgin Community College.
But Estevan's baseball career catapulted ahead of his older brother, when he committed to Notre Dame in August.
Estevan is also the first family member to attend Montini.
Still, even with all his accolades and a promising future, Estevan laughs at one particular trait in his family: He's the tallest.
At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, Estevan is two inches taller than Martin.
"I'm the tallest in my family," Estevan Moreno said. "It's crazy because I have no clue. Sometimes I joke about it that I'm the tallest in the family that everybody has to listen to me, but I know he runs the family. It's crazy also because my mom only played basketball and my dad didn't play any sports (in high school)."
After a breakout summer playing on the club baseball circuit last year, Moreno is primed to lay his claim to another distinction: One of the best players in the state. Montini coach Rich Janor said Moreno is one his way.
"Estevan has a great arm and great range," Janor said. "He's so smooth and fluid in everything he does, but he works at it. He looks so natural out there, especially at his size. He has a great passion for the game, and a no nonsense work ethic. He just goes about his business, speaks with his action not words. He's very humble. A lot of talented players like to run their mouths or be arrogant, but he's the opposite."
Moreno is slated to play a big role for the Broncos this spring. Two years ago, Moreno made a minor impact at designated hitter and shortstop in Montini's run to the Class 3A state championship. His steady play and unflappable personality resonated with the older players, allowing him to seamlessly blend in with his older teammates and contribute to the title run.
In two state tournament games, he batted 2-for-6 with two runs scored and one RBI.
"In the championship year in 2019, he played some infield, in the DH spot and was a key contributor," Janor said. "Sometimes there's a guy, you have to find a way to get him on the field that makes things happen. We needed his bat in the lineup."
Moreno admitted he didn't think he would start in his freshman year, but two years later after a lengthy offseason, he's excited to play the sport he loves. Moreno is also a standout basketball and football player.
"Baseball keeping me going, and is my main sport," Moreno said. "I would say the big difference between the other two sports I play, it has to be the team. That says a lot about playing baseball. I'm glad to be back on the baseball field. Our team has a lot of potential. Teams might underestimate."
Moreno said his individual goals are to get bigger and faster, plus to make his infield play smoother and work both sides of the field from the plate. His early commitment to Notre Dame brings pressure and expectations, but he couldn't pass up the opportunity to play for the Irish.
"Notre Dame is a great school and one of the top schools in the world," he said. "I was shocked to get that offer. It was a hard decision. I waited one day. It felt good to commit. I felt less pressure."
Moreno missed a few games at the start of the season because of the football season spilling into the baseball season. Janor said he's trying to find pockets of time to rest the banged up Moreno.
Moreno said he's aiming for a big junior season, crediting his brother for helping him prepare for handling the rigors of his final two seasons.
"My brother definitely helped me a lot me growing up," Moreno said. "I look up to him. He was a great player. He definitely showed me some things I need to work on. I'm grateful for him. He's showed me a lot."