Baseball:

By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor

Eli Paton finished his high school career at Maranatha on a high note.

But it didn’t start off that way.

Paton transferred to the Pasadena school after his sophomore season at Loyola.

And after sitting out the first eight games of 2019, Paton struggled mightily.

Heading into mid-April of his junior season, he was batting just .051 and his confidence began to wane.

But there was one person who continued to believe in Paton, and that was Maranatha coach Matt Shupper.

The Maranatha skipper, who led his program to a CIF-SS championship in 2018, pulled Paton aside at a tournament in San Diego and challenged Eli to be the same guy that UCLA offered a scholarship to in 2018.

And Paton responded in a big way.

Paton finished the season by adding 208 points to his batting average.

He batted .259, with 15 hits, 10 runs, two doubles and two home runs.

Perhaps his greatest feat in 2019, though, was leading the Olympic League in RBIs (18), despite missing several league games.

“It made me feel really good that Coach Shupper still believed in me. That meant everything to me and while I was already working hard, it made me want to work even harder to prove that his confidence wasn’t misplaced,” Paton said. “I came in and after sitting out a lot of games to become eligible, I wanted to do too much (to contribute) and I struggled. But I spent a lot of time at Legends with (coach) Al Quintana and he really helped me figure out my swing.”

In the summer of 2019, Paton continued to work hard on his body, game and academics.

At nearly 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, Paton was able to manage a grueling individual workout that UCLA sent him.

He would then workout and practice with his teammates at Maranatha and somehow still found the time and energy to maintain a 4.0 GPA.

This kid is special in every phase of his life, including the way he treats others.

Although he only got to play in five total games in 2020, Paton was off to a very solid start, and so were the Minutemen.

Maranatha was 5-1 overall and 1-0 in the Olympic League.

We asked Eli for his favorite team moment of the season, and Paton mentioned a Saturday night game against Etiwanda at Jackie Robinson Stadium.

It was just three days after he missed the Palmdale game to the flu.

MHS tied the game in the bottom of the seventh inning when Brock Vradenburg drove in a run.

And one inning later, Paton scored the game-winning run, thanks to a Nick Cook sac fly to right to defeat the Eagles, 2-1, in eight innings.

For the shortened season, Paton batted .375, with eight hits, five runs, four RBIs, one double and two home runs.

He also went three scoreless innings in relief and struck out five in a 3-2, 10-inning loss at Bonita.

When the season was called, Paton was thoroughly disappointed, but he obviously saw this coming.

“We knew what was going on and wished for the best, but we weren’t surprised at all,” he said. “I really thought this was going to be a special year and the chemistry was so good this season. We all got along, we played for each other and each guy had a job to do and they accepted it and were doing it well. I miss my guys a lot.”

Shupper raved about his star senior and it wasn’t just about his phenomenal physical skills.

“Eli is such a good kid. He was raised so well and has always been respectful to everyone, especially to adults,” Shupper said. “He looks like Mr. Incredible and he out-worked everybody. Eli’s the kind of son that every dad would want to have and I’m so thankful I got to spend the last two years with him. I can’t wait to follow his progress at UCLA. His work ethic, physical skills and character are the reasons I believe he’ll succeed in D-1 baseball.”

A perfect example of Paton’s team-first mentality was coming to Maranatha and thinking he was going to play third base.

Josh Chairez, however, became a very solid third baseman and Eli happily played each of the three outfield positions, as well as some work at both first and third base.

Shupper credits Eli’s hard work with helping push Brock Vradenburg and Josh Chairez to become better first and third basemen, respectively.

Paton’s parents, Frank and Hailey, raised two solid kids, including 15-year old Grace, who attends La Canada High School.

Frank is a tech guy who sells 3D printers and Hailey is a physical therapist.

Eli said of his parents: “my mom is the care giver and is so selfless. She always puts our needs ahead our her own and she’s always proud of me whether I played well or terribly. My dad has always pushed me to be the best I can be in everything I do. Sometimes I feel like he pushes me too hard, but when I think about it, I know my dad just wants the best for me and he believes in what I’m capable of doing. My sister and I appreciate all their sacrifices and love.”

Aside from his physique, intellect, character and work ethic, sports is just a way of life in the Paton family.

His uncle George Paton is an assistant general manager for the Minnesota Vikings.

Paton’s cousin Robbie is a scout for the Denver Broncos, and his uncle John Paton and his father both played football for the University of Utah.

During this pandemic, Paton still works out, including cardio and taking swings, but he’s also having fun watching Netflix and playing video games.

Paton binged watched Money Heist, All-American and Narcos Mexico.

As a guy with an IQ quadruple that of anyone on the series, Paton was not able to get into the popular meth-head series, Tiger King.

He also enjoys playing the game, NBA, 2K.

When asked if there was anyone else he wanted to thank during his high school career, Paton did something no athlete has asked this writer to do in a 21-year career, and that is to name some lifelong friends, who were always there for him.

Paton mentioned and thanked Matthew Spitz, Jacob Nussbaum, JP Crispi, Arian Shapouri and Darren Pung for their support and love throughout his life.

Oh yeah, and some guy named Andre Henry, who led the St. Francis basketball program to new heights, including being 24 hours from winning a state championship before COVID-19 ripped the hearts out of every Golden Knights player and coach.

Lastly, we asked Paton for his message to fellow players who struggle early and what his time at Maranatha meant to him.

“I would want other baseball players to know that if you’re struggling as much as I was, you can still turn it around as long as you’re willing to put in the work, continue to believe in yourself and surround yourself with good people. If you stop believing in yourself, it’s very likely that no one else will either,” he said.

“To my coaches, teammates and friends at Maranatha, thank you for everything. You made me feel at home and I’ll always appreciate that and my time with you. I wish we could have played a full season, but no one can take away what he accomplished together or our memories and I look forward to you being my friends throughout my life.”

Whether you’re a rival at USC or a Sun Devil like this writer, it will be difficult not to root for that Bruin named Eli Paton.

He is a quality young man, and will certainly represent UCLA in the best way possible.

Quotable:

Maranatha coach, Matt Shupper: “Eli is a kid with so much upside physically, but until you get to know him, you don’t realize just how smart he is and what a solid young man he’s become. His parents did a great job raising Eli. Even at his lowest moments in 2019, he continued to cheer for his teammates and was a great teammate. I appreciate everything about this guy.”

Loyola coach, Sean Buller: “Eli is one of the most coachable players I have coached. He is a great competitor, has a great work ethic, an awesome swing, and has the perfect sense of humor for a baseball player. His respect on and off the field will continue to allow him success as a Bruin next year.”

Maranatha senior, Brock Vradenburg: “Eli is an all around athlete who works his butt off more than any person I know. He is a very upbeat player and very encouraging to the whole team, who competes whether the score is 0-0 or 10-0.”

Maranatha freshman, Adrian Lopez: “Eli is one of the best baseball players I have ever shared the field with. He is such a hard worker on and off the field. I’ve never met a guy that competes on every pitch and is always hustling on and off the field. Eli is also always trying to help others. I remember when he used to take me to practice and help me with whatever I was going through whether it was for baseball or for school, and he’s always been like a big brother to me. Overall, although Eli is a exceptional baseball player and in my personal opinion one of the best in his class, he was always a great and loving teammate that really showed the meaning of brotherly love not only to me but the whole team. So it was a true honor to be able to call Eli my teammate, but most importantly my brother, and I will never forget the time I had playing with him.”

Eli Paton’s Career Stats at Loyola & Maranatha:

2020: .375, eight hits, five runs, four RBIs, one double, two home runs

2019: .259, 15 hits, 10 runs, 18 RBIs, two doubles, two home runs

2018 (Loyola) .291, 23 hits, nine runs, 17 RBI, nine doubles, triple

2017 (Loyola) .200, two hits, three runs, three RBIs, home run

To view Eli’s photo gallery, click Facebook link here: Facebook