Little-known fact about the biggest moment of Cesar Salazar’s career as an Arizona Wildcat: His best buddy didn’t see it.

When Salazar, then a freshman, came to the plate in the bottom of the 11th inning of Arizona’s 2016 Super Regional at Mississippi State, classmate Alfonso Rivas III was pacing in the tunnel behind the third-base dugout. Rivas, who had been lifted earlier for a pinch-runner, had gone to the bathroom between half-innings. As he headed back to the dugout, teammate Kyle Lewis – the player who had run for Rivas – reached base via a single.

Baseball superstition being what it is, Rivas had to stay in the tunnel. Four batters later, with two outs and the bases loaded, Salazar rolled a single through the right side. Lewis scored the winning run to send the Wildcats to the College World Series. They came spilling out of the dugout. Rivas joined the celebration.

Salazar never had heard that story until a recent post-practice meal at BK Tacos, his and Rivas’ favorite Mexican restaurant in Tucson. Salazar laughs heartily. No hard feelings.

The funny thing is, Rivas and Salazar swear they never talk about the glory days of 2016, when Arizona came within a hit of winning the College World Series.

β€œWhen the season ends, we close the yearbook on that,” says Rivas, whose bloop single to left-center in the bottom of the ninth drove in the tying run against MSU.

β€œIt wouldn’t benefit us at all” to live in the past, he adds.

Salazar, sitting next to him in a booth at BK, agrees. It’s clear these two are well-versed in UA coach Jay Johnson’s mantra that the next pitch is the only one that matters. That they’re devoted Johnson acolytes makes perfect sense: Rivas and Salazar are the only two players who will have started for Johnson in all three of his seasons here.

They are the heart (Salazar) and soul (Rivas) of these Wildcats, who open the 2018 season Friday night against Bryant University. They have endured thrills (2016) and disappointments (last year’s regional ouster). They have made themselves into pro prospects. They have done it all together.

β€˜The dude’s selfless’

Salazar first heard about Rivas during international-student orientation. Salazar explained that he had come to the UA to play baseball. Someone in the group revealed that he had a good friend on the team – Rivas, who also happened to speak Spanish.

That put Salazar at ease. The native of Hermosillo, Mexico, had lived with an American family for three years while attending Sahuaro High. But knowing that one of his new teammates spoke Spanish made Salazar feel more comfortable. Rivas, a dual citizen who was born in San Diego, felt the same way. They bonded almost instantly.

But it was more than just language that made them fast friends. Coaches and teammates said both freshmen were unusually mature. They were also focused and serious about baseball from the moment they arrived on campus.

β€œWe both knew our priorities and had the same end goal,” Salazar says. β€œObviously, there are days we have fun and hang out. But at the end of the day, you know why you’re here.”

Both are aspiring pros, a dream likely to be fulfilled later this year. Rivas has made several preseason All-America teams after a stellar sophomore season in which the smooth-swinging left-handed batter hit .371 with seven home runs, 63 RBIs and a conference-leading .483 on-base percentage. Salazar joined Rivas as a first-team All-Pac-12 selection after hitting .284 with 10 doubles, two triples and two homers. As a left-handed-hitting catcher with plus defensive tools, Salazar brings value that goes beyond numbers.

β€œUnquantifiable,” Johnson says. β€œHe just has a way of making everybody around him better. There may be more physically talented catchers around the country. I don’t know if anybody means as much to their team as he means to our team.”

Salazar could have been playing for another team this spring. Although he had just completed his sophomore season, Salazar was old enough to be eligible for the MLB draft last year.

Salazar seriously considered it. But if he was going to leave, he wanted to feel β€œ100 percent confident” in the decision. Salazar wasn’t quite there, so he elected to return to enhance his game, work toward his degree and help Arizona make a third straight postseason appearance.

β€œI think the β€˜A’ really means a lot to Cesar,” senior pitcher Robby Medel says. β€œYou can tell. The guy could have played professional baseball, made some money, helped his family. Instead, he came back. The dude’s selfless.”

Rivas had Salazar’s back either way. Of course Rivas wanted to play another season with his pal. Rivas also understood the pull of pro ball. He assured Salazar that he’d make the right call.

β€œI honestly thought he was ready,” Rivas says between bites at BK. β€œBut it comes down to him and how he feels.

β€œIt would be cool to see your close friend sign a pro contract – that’s the ultimate goal. But I also can see why he came back. We’re very appreciative.”

Born to hit

Asked what he has worked on the most since deciding to return to the UA, Salazar sums it up in one word: β€œHitting.”

Salazar is a good hitter. He rarely strikes out, averaging one per 8.3 at-bats. He upped his on-base and slugging percentages last season. He’ll have a regular spot in the middle of Arizona’s lineup.

Salazar isn’t on Rivas’ level as a batter. But then, few are.

D1Baseball.com recently released an analytics-based ranking of the top offensive prospects in college. Rivas landed at No. 6.

Last April, when Rivas was tearing up the Pac-12, Johnson said of the then-sophomore: β€œThere’s some guys that were put on the planet to hit. Alfonso’s working his way into that category.”

Rivas would finish with that monster stat line, which also included 39 walks, up from 18 the previous season. Johnson considers Rivas, who’s moving from left field to first base this season, β€œone of the most underrated players in the country.”

β€œHe has as good a plate discipline as any college player you will see,” Johnson says. β€œHis ability to hit mistakes is as good as any player you will see at this level.

β€œThe thing I appreciate the most about him is his mental maturity. He’s very consistent – never too high or too low. And that allows him to perform at a high level on a consistent basis.”

Salazar again needs only one word to describe Rivas’ demeanor: β€œChill.” Rivas’ family moved from Tijuana to Chula Vista, California, when he was in fourth grade, and he has that laid-back SoCal vibe about him.

Rivas and Salazar spend countless hours in the Terry Francona Hitting Center critiquing each other’s swings. But no hitting tip carries greater value than what Salazar takes from the way Rivas carries himself. He’s able to play with intensity yet be relaxed at the same time.

β€œThat was something I needed,” Salazar says.

It takes self-confidence and leadership skills to handle a pitching staff. Salazar has both. They are the traits Rivas admires most in his teammate and roommate.

It takes a certain level-headedness to navigate the ups and downs of a long baseball season. Salazar’s developing patience is on display at BK Tacos.

The food arrives, but the waitress has forgotten Salazar’s carne asada caramelo. He calmly reminds her and happily goes about eating the rest of his meal – fish and adobada tacos.

Rivas also orders a carne asada caramelo, along with a Sonoran dog and a cabeza taco, which he recommends to one of his dining companions.

The way BK prepares its meat reminds Rivas and Salazar of their shared heritage. Every trip back reminds them of their shared experiences at Arizona.

Little-known fact about that: It almost didn’t happen.

Salazar had been recruited by the previous regime. Unlike Rivas, Salazar had no background with Johnson, who was hired in June 2015.

Unsure what to do, Salazar consulted with people he trusted. After learning more about Johnson, Salazar stuck with his commitment.

β€œIt turned out pretty well,” Rivas says.

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