Rincon/University Grad Alfredo Villa Leads Pro Team to Nicaragua League Title

Pitcher Alfredo Villa, a Tucson native, helped the Leones de León win the Nicaragua Professional League championship last month.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Alfredo Villa, a 28-year-old right-handed pitcher who graduated from Rincon/University High School in Tucson, led his professional team, the Leones de León, to the Nicaragua Professional League championship last month. Villa, who went undrafted after playing at Adams State, has found success pitching in the Pioneer League and Frontier League over the past four seasons.

Why it matters

Villa's story highlights the path of a local Tucson athlete who has found professional success outside of the major leagues, playing in international leagues and building a following on social media. His championship win in Nicaragua showcases the talent and determination of players from the Southern Arizona region.

The details

In the championship series against the Gigantes de Rivas, Villa allowed six hits and two runs, retiring 11 straight batters at one point and striking out five. He told a local Nicaraguan sports outlet, '8 Deportivo', that he was happy to give León the chance to win the title, saying 'In baseball, there are several ways to get out of trouble. They set up a threat (in the first inning); they have a great offense, but I found a way to get out of it, improve, and give the team the chance to win.'

  • Villa led the Leones de León to the Nicaragua Professional League championship last month (January 2026).
  • Villa graduated from Rincon/University High School in Tucson in 2016.

The players

Alfredo Villa

A 28-year-old right-handed pitcher who graduated from Rincon/University High School in Tucson and has found professional success pitching in the Pioneer League and Frontier League over the past four seasons, culminating in a championship win with the Leones de León in the Nicaragua Professional League.

Francisco Romero

A Nogales, Sonora native who graduated from the University of Arizona and is currently the Spanish play-by-play announcer for the Houston Astros. He featured Villa in a recent episode of his 'Beyond the Mic' video podcast.

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What they’re saying

“I'm happy to have given León the chance to win. I think baseball is a game of mistakes; it's difficult to expect to win all the time. You can try to be perfect in a game of mistakes, and then you have to go out there hoping to do your best.”

— Alfredo Villa, Pitcher (8 Deportivo)

“The best pitchers win because they stop wasting energy on things that don't move the needle. One pitch. One decision. One moment at a time. Control the controllables — and the game slows down for you.”

— Alfredo Villa (Behind the Mic, Francisco Romero)

What’s next

Villa's success in Nicaragua has generated buzz, and he has become a celebrity on TikTok, offering pitching and life advice to his followers. His story could lead to more opportunities to play professionally in other international leagues or even a chance to sign with a Major League Baseball organization.

The takeaway

Alfredo Villa's journey from a Tucson high school to winning a professional championship in Nicaragua showcases the talent and determination of athletes from the Southern Arizona region. His story provides inspiration for young players who may be overlooked or face long odds to make it as a professional, demonstrating that hard work and perseverance can lead to success, even outside the traditional path to the major leagues.