Every star has to start somewhere, and for Coral Springs Charter freshman Rayniel Cabrera, this is just the beginning. The young outfielder is experiencing the ups and downs of his first high school season but stays focused on improving his game.

Rayniel looks up to New York Mets superstar Juan Soto, admiring his abilities. Like Soto, Rayniel hopes to bring energy and skill to the diamond, even as he works out the growing pains of his first year. He is gaining experience by playing outside of the school team to continue to develop.

So far, the season has been a struggle for him. “Terrible,” was all Cabrera had to say when asked about how his freshman campaign was going. Despite being 1-1 Rayniel still has some things to figure out while adjusting to the competition at a high school level. Cabrera is not letting his struggles get to him as he continues to improve his abilities. Right now he is working on increasing his defensive skills specifically dealing with fly balls.

One of the people guiding him through his rough year is sophomore Colin Maniscalco, a fellow charter ball player and Rayniels close friend. Rayneil looks up to him, considering him to be a role model and learning about the game through him.

Even though the season has not been ideal, Rayniel’s drive and work ethic stand out. With time and effort, Cabrera has the potential to be a star player for the Panthers in years to come.