A three-year baseball letterman known for outstanding outfield defense, he hit for both power and average and helped lead Arizona to back-to-back trips to the College World Series in 1958 and 1959. In 1959, when the team finished as C.W.S. runner-up he led the team in home runs and batted .369, and was named District 6 Most Valuable Player and first team All-American. Coached by the legendary Frank Sancet, he was Arizona's first Hispanic All-American in any sport. Following graduation, he was drafted by the New York Yankees and played in their organization for several years.