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Kane County shortstop, former teammate of Cubs star Javier Baez, chasing his MLB dream
GENEVA – Jancarlos Cintron bends over for a few moments at the edge of the infield just before the game's first pitch.
Sliding his finger through the dirt, the 23-year-old Cougars shortstop etches the initials "HC" into the earthy dust.
The letters stand for Hector Cintron – Cintron's older brother and inspiration, who survived leukemia about 10 years ago.
"He's my motivation. I go out there every day for him," Cintron said. "My Dad, my family...He helped me grow up more. He got me where I'm at today."
Cintron watched as his brother went through the radiation therapy and everything in between.
Balancing school, a budding baseball career and his brother's condition at 13 years old became a lot for Cintron to handle.
Nonetheless, Cintron gained a mature perspective that will serve him long after his baseball career is finished.
"Everything is not just [about] baseball," Cintron said. "It's just a game, you know what I mean? We've got the ability to play, but there's so much more than baseball. I learned so much. You just can't take any day for granted. You never know – you're here today – you don't know where [you'll be] tomorrow."
Cintron has made the most of his winding road to Geneva. His journey began in Bayamon, Puerto Rico – also the hometown of Chicago Cubs star second baseman, Javier Báez.
Cintron moved to Florida when he was 17, and played high school baseball with the future Major League All-Star for one season during Báez's senior year.
They were the dynamic duo up the middle. Báez manned shortstop, while Cintron handled second base for Arlington Country Day School, a private institution.
Even then, Cintron had the feeling that Báez was going to be a star.
Báez is nicknamed "El Mago" – The Magician – based off of his perpetual highlight reel of diving stops, daring slides and seemingly contagious baseball energy.
"That nickname speaks for itself," Cintron said. "He does things that nobody expects him to do."
"We had a great chemistry. We were like brothers," Cintron continued while recalling his high school days with Báez. "We were hanging out with each other every day...he [was] the same guy as he is now."
Cintron tries to imitate that playing style from time to time, keeping in mind Báez's personal impact on his defensive play. Cintron, however, is chasing his own dream of one day reaching the Major Leagues.
"Don't get me wrong: I love the way he plays; he's my favorite player, but I try to be me," Cintron said. "It's my career...I try to be myself in and out of the field and that's it."
Cintron later transferred to Elev8 Baseball Academy for two seasons before moving on to college. Cintron played collegiately at Palm Beach State and Nova Southeastern University and was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2017 as a senior.
"I was leaving it all on the field," Cintron said. "My last year, I [had] nothing to lose...I was just hoping to get drafted. Thank God I got the chance."
Sitting on the beach, he got the call.
After 46 games in the Arizona Fall League, Cintron now finds himself enjoying success in Kane County while slugging a .414, sixth on the Cougars, with five homers, fifth on the team.
"I feel good," Cintron said. "I'm happy [with] what I've done to this moment, but I'm looking forward to keeping it up, stay consistent and keep doing what I'm doing."