By Rob Forleo
Special to the Voice
West Haven High School baseball has seen its share of standout performances over the years, and senior Jose Padilla has now etched his name into that history. The shortstop and pitcher recently reached the 100 career hits milestone, a moment that reflects years of dedication and steady growth in the Blue Devils program.
Padilla achieved the milestone on April 22, 2026 against Sheehan, finishing the game 2 for 3 at the plate at Dunkin’ Donuts Park, home of the Hartford Yard Goats. Wearing number 24, he has been a consistent presence in the lineup since the start of his high school career, developing into one of the team’s most reliable hitters.
“Honestly it means a lot to me. I have been playing this game since I was young, so to reach 100 hits here is big. More than that, it’s just a reminder that all the work I’ve put in is paying off,” Padilla said.
That steady approach has defined his path to this milestone. Padilla shared that he began to sense it was within reach earlier this season, but chose to stay focused on his routine instead of the number itself. “Probably this season when I started off strong, I knew I was getting close, but I didn’t really focus on the number, I just stayed locked in and kept playing my game,” he said.
His consistency at the plate has been built on confidence and trust in his preparation. “Staying confident and trusting my work. I don’t go up there trying to do too much, I just stay calm, trust my swing, and compete every at bat,” Padilla said.
Head coach Stephen Carden has seen that mindset firsthand and credits it as a major factor in Padilla’s success. “What stands out the most to me about Jose as a player in general is how even keeled he is. There have not been very many 0-3 days for him, but his demeanor and composure is always the same whether he has 4 hits or 0 hits,” Carden said. “Having that even keeled mentality has helped him in addition to his physical skills.”
Carden also emphasized Padilla’s impact on the program over multiple seasons. “Jose has been a top/middle of the lineup hitter for us since day 1. We went to the Class LL quarterfinals in each of his first two seasons here and he was our top hitter on those teams,” he said.
Padilla’s success has been marked by consistent recognition throughout his high school career. He has earned All-Conference honors in each of his seasons and was named All State last year, reflecting both his production and reliability as a core piece of the lineup.
Beyond his accomplishments on the field, Padilla made sure to highlight the people who have supported him throughout his journey. “I want to thank my family first. My dad especially, he’s been there with me since day one, putting in the work with me and pushing me, so without him none of this happens. My mom too, she always makes sure I’m taken care of, especially with meals and helping me recover so I’m ready for games. My sister, for always supporting me,” he said. “My coaches and teammates for always having my back and pushing me to get better.”
As his senior season continues, Padilla remains focused on finishing strong and continuing to contribute to his team. Reaching 100 career hits is a significant achievement, and it reflects the commitment he has shown throughout his time at West Haven High School.