Central's Limon Moves to Next Chapter by Signing with Sul Ross

SAN ANGELO, TX-- The long, arduous journey for one Central Bobcat baseball player reached its next chapter on Thursday

Central ace Jonathan Limon signed his Letter of Intent to play baseball at Sul Ross State University on Thursday.

“I’m going to be pretty sad saying goodbye to the juniors and underclassmen and also my coaches,” Limon said. “This is a great achievement. I’ve worked hard for it and I’m excited for the future.”

Limon and his family moved to San Angelo from Lubbock seven years ago. When they moved here, they weren’t sure how things would shake out for the southpaw.

Jonathan’s dad, Mike, fought back tears told the crowd inside the McCutchen room at San Angelo Stadium the family decided to move into Central’s zone and the dividends were numerous thanks, in large part, to his wife Patricia.

“It’s a long road getting here,” Mike told the crowd. “It’s tough with the select ball, traveling, the dirty clothes, going to bed late, getting up early. [Patricia] is the leader.”

The season-leader in strikeouts admitted to playing a bit selfishly in his freshman season. However, Limon regained his passion the following season and it showed on the mound.

“Whether it was his sophomore, junior or senior years on varsity, you knew what you were going to get,” Central head coach Patrick Penry said. “That’s part of the reason he has this opportunity and also why he’s a state leader in strikeouts in 6A baseball. I’m extremely proud of him and I’m glad to have played a small part in his development.”

Limon was a pivotal piece to the Bobcat’s back-to-back playoff runs in 2017 and 2018 and, more-so, the growth of Central High School baseball. His sophomore year, Limon threw the first-ever no-hitter for the Bobcats.

“I can remember, I think it was the very first game of his sophomore year, when we knew we had something special,” Penry said. “He beat the no. 9-ranked team in the state, Cypress Ranch, who was just coming off a state championship. Then he threw the no-hitter. Then he beat Midland Lee, who I think was number 11 in the state. We beat them 3-2 and that was a key game for us fighting for a playoff spot. He wouldn’t have been able to get that win today with the pitch count. We threw him 129 or 130 pitches and was getting stronger as the game went on.”

This year Limon struck out a career-high 14 batters against Killeen Ellison. The senior southpaw finished with 81 strikeouts overall this season.

Roughly three percent of players make it to the collegiate level.

“Then, when you keep going, the numbers are against you,” Penry said.

During the recruiting process, it wasn’t certain if the Bobcat-turned-Lobo would have to leave the state or not to continue his career. However, when the school just three hours away came calling, the cards shifted favorably for Limon.

“Sul Ross just happened to be the college where I felt at home,” Limon said. “I love the team. I love the coaches. I saw some of the facilities there and I loved it.”

The Lobos enjoyed one of their best seasons with a 23-19 record overall and 17-7 mark in the American Southwest Conference which earned them second place behind Concordia-Texas.

“Coach [Bobby] Mesker, the head coach at Sul Ross, said it was going to be a building year,” Limon said. “I’m happy to be a part of that. It’s reminds me of Central. That’s why I want to be on that team. I want to be a part of something where they want to be successful in the future.”

The Bobcats finished the season with a 14-21 record after getting swept in the first round of playoffs by South Grand Prairie.