Johnny Giavotella ’05 is feeling right at home at second base with the L.A. Angels. Photo courtesy of Angels Baseball.

Jesuit alumnus Johnny Giavotella, who returned to Carrollton and Banks earlier this year to urge Blue Jays to make the most of their opportunities, is putting his money where his mouth is. Or in this case, putting his bat where the ball is.

Giavotella, a member of the Class of 2005, logged 437 at bats and 104 hits (.238 batting average) over four years with the Kansas City Royals. The highlight of his K.C. career was in 2014 when the Royals made it to the World Series. Giavotella wasn’t on the 25-man active post-season roster, but he was in the dugout soaking it all in.

After the season, the 5’8″, 180 infielder was traded to the Los Angeles Angels. With a new team he would have an opportunity to prove he deserves more playing time at the big league level. So far so good.

Giavotella won the starting second base job in Spring Training and is leading his Angels team in hitting. It’s early, but in ten plate appearances the UNO alumnus has four hits (three of them against the Seattle Mariners on April 8) and a walk, chalking up a .444 average. 

“Work hard and have a positive attitude, even through adversity,” he told his fellow Blue Jays in January. Good advice from someone who has had to prove it his entire life.

Read More

Orange County Register — Johnny Giavotella settles in as Angels starting second baseman

WWL.com — Ex-UNO, Jesuit star making most of second chance in the majors