Trojan Workhorse: Flores becoming a force for Voyagers
Much like the Trojan horse of Greek mythological fame, Great Falls Voyagers second baseman Dante Flores doesn’t give away much by his appearance.
The former University of Southern California Trojan said that’s a good thing.
“My personality, I’m a happy-go-lucky guy. I’m an even keel,” Flores said. “… I like to pride myself on that example of you can look at me and not know what the score is. If we’re down by 10 or up by 10, I’m trying to play the game the right way.”
The way Flores has been swinging the bat recently, he’s been much more likely to be adding runs to the Voyagers tally on the scoreboard.
Flores rode out a nine-game hit streak in mid-July, breaking out of the gate after being slowed by a sore shoulder early in the season.
The 22-year-old cooled off in the latter part of July—he’s now hitting at a .273 clip for the year—but he’s showed up in the clutch. The most recent example is Saturday’s two-run double in the fifth inning of a Voyagers 6-4 win over Helena.
“In all honesty he carried us there for a little while,” Great Falls manager Cole Armstrong said. “He had a big hit there (Saturday) night, and he’s been big for us.”
For Flores, an 18th-round pick out of USC this spring, his heritage is all the motivation he needs. The only child of a Mexican father and a black mother, Flores said he holds both backgrounds closely.
“I come from two very different, distinct cultures,” he said. “I think it’s a great background for my personality.”
His father is an avid baseball fan, so the only son played the game, watched the game (he’s a Los Angeles Dodgers fan), grew to love the game.
“Good things started coming and I fell in love with the sport,” Flores said. “I realized what kind of lifestyle it can bring, what kind of joy it can bring.”
And so when the college recruiting process came around, what else could he do but represent his hometown? Flores, a Norwalk, Calif. native, chose USC despite the Trojans’ recent lean years on the diamond.
“I grew up watching SC football and SC athletics in general,” he said. “… It was awesome to get to go there.”
As a senior, he helped lead the Trojans to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in ten seasons. They lost in extra innings to eventual champion Virginia in a regional final. Flores drove in two runs with a triple in the 14-10 loss.
Then came the draft, where he was taken by the White Sox, an organization known for its depth in the middle infield. Instead of moping about not getting to play every day, Flores took it as a learning opportunity.
“At SC I started every day, every game,” he said. “I was the old guy, the guy everyone looked up to. It’s nice to get here and have other players where I can actually learn something. … Johan Cruz, who has unbelievable hands, and Grant Massey, who has incredible footwork, and I can see it.”
Flores has made a name for himself as well. Armstrong said the lefty-hitting infielder is unflappable. After all, Flores has been relied upon in the clutch before.
“He’s not fazed by big situations, and that probably comes from playing in the Pac-12,” Armstrong said. “It shows on the field.”
And off of it, apparently. Flores, like many mid-round picks trying to stand out, said the work off the field is what sets the tone.
“I’m working my butt off,” he said. “I’m here for the opportunity. I’m not a (signing) bonus baby. I’m not just sitting back on a nice, pretty paycheck. I’m just glad the White Sox gave me the opportunity, and I’m trying to make the most of it.”