Near-perfect Max Salas is Holland Sentinel Baseball Player of the Year

When Max Salas took the mound, he was supremely confident.

The senior pitcher knew how good his defense was behind him, and how many runs the Zeeland East offense would score on a team full of players bound for college.

All he had to to was deliver, and he did - every time.

Salas went 10-1, allowing less than one run per game on his way to all-state honors. He was selected as the Holland Sentinel Baseball Player of the Year.

"He is one of the best pitchers we have ever had," Zeeland East coach Matt Sattler said.

Salas holds the career Zeeland East record for wins with 24, and in a season with 10, which he did as a junior and a senior. His career ERA also holds the school record.

"My biggest strength on the mound is keeping my composure in any situation. I never let the moment get too big and I’m always ready to go in no matter what. Also being able to throw and command three pitches is a big strength," Salas said.

The Chix went 33-7 this year and won the OK Green Conference title for the second year in a row.

"Max is the most winning pitcher in our school history. He won 24 games on the mound in three years and a single season record 10 wins in each of the last two. He also set our career ERA record," Zeeland East coach Matt Sattler said. "Each time he goes on the mound, our team knew we were going to win. No one has worked harder than Max in our program to maximize every ounce of ability they could. He put himself through a rigorous training program and throwing program to gain more velocity each year, and spent countless hours throwing pens and enhancing his off-speed pitches. We have had some tremendous pitchers come through our program, but Max has been the best at knowing how to pitch."

Salas was 10-1 with a 0.85 ERA. He struck out 85 and walked just 18 in 49 2/3 innings.

"This past offseason I improved most on my strength. Lifting at Baseball Concepts Monday through Friday increased my velocity and made me a better pitcher and athlete," he said. "I also improved my curve ball by changing the grip and spending countless hours trying to perfect the pitch which led to a much better and improved off speed pitch."

Now, Salas will head to Northwood University to pitch at the Division II level.

"At Northwood I’m looking forward most to creating new friendships and getting the change to play collegiate baseball. I'm excited to get the change to contribute to a great team," Salas said.

That was the best part of his career with the Chix. Zeeland East had a huge senior class and are sending nearly a dozen of them to the college ranks.

"This season will all the seniors was bittersweet knowing that it would be the last time playing with the kids I grew up with," he said. "I had to truly soak in and enjoy ever practice and game because it was all winding down so quickly."

Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.