Mildner Nieto, the second baseman for the Panamá Oeste Vaqueros, has become one of the main offensive drivers. With a .500 batting average, 15 hits, one home run, and 9 runs batted in, he is not only the best batter in the National Juvenile Baseball Tournament but also a key player for his team. Nieto, batting third, is delivering in crucial moments, providing timely hits that lift the team when they need it most. The hottest hitter in the championship, who is in his third season in juvenile baseball, will be promoted to Panamá Oeste's senior team, confirming his success is not a fluke but a result of consistency. Monday night, Panamá Oeste defeated Chiriquí Occidente 8-4, securing their ninth win of the tournament and remaining the undefeated leader. Nieto is part of a successful group of 13 players aged 15 who left an indelible mark in minor league tournaments and now form the competitive core of the Vaqueros. The Panamá Oeste infielder, capable of playing all infield positions, has a nine-game hitting streak, during which he has a .500 average, with 15 hits in 30 at-bats. Led by Dimas Ponce, the team has a nine-game winning streak, placing them in a privileged position as they await the round of the top eight. Aníbal Reluz Jr., president of the Panamá Oeste League, spoke about what the juvenile tournament has meant to him and his team. "The key has been that we have worked well as a collective, and most importantly, the players have not lost concentration during the game," stated the Oeste executive to Harmodio Arrocha Sports. For Reluz, a former player with a Master's in Sports Psychology, the first objective in the tournament is to qualify for the round of the top eight teams. "Our first objective is to qualify first or second for the home-field advantage. We started working with these boys in September and played 45 exhibition games," he indicated. The Vaqueros are looking to revive past glories and compete for the title, strengthening their roster with key players like Mildner Nieto, Luis Aranda, and Luis Atencio. We will see what happens in this crucial round.
