Hector Cadena embraces leadoff hitter, shortstop roles

United's star player thrives in new positions, leading the team in hitting and steals

Apr. 3, 2026 at 1:55pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a baseball player in motion, with sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in the team's official colors representing the dynamic action on the field.Hector Cadena's dynamic play at the plate and in the field has been a driving force for the United Longhorns this season.Del Rio Today

Hector Cadena, a junior at United High School in Laredo, Texas, has been a standout player for the Longhorns baseball team. This season, the Texas A&M commit has moved to the leadoff spot in the batting order and shifted to shortstop on defense, where his ability to get on base and steal bases has made him a valuable asset for the team.

Why it matters

Cadena's performance at the plate and on the bases has been crucial for United, as the team looks to compete in District 30-6A play. His move to the leadoff spot and shortstop position has given the Longhorns more scoring opportunities and a strong defensive presence in the infield.

The details

Through the first part of the season, Cadena is batting .469 with an on-base percentage of .538, slugging .765, and boasting a 1.303 OPS. He has already surpassed his hit total from last season, with 38 hits, including 17 extra-base hits and two home runs. Cadena's speed and baserunning skills have also been on display, as he has stolen 22 bases, surpassing his total of 20 from last year.

  • Cadena went 5-for-6 with two walks, one RBI, three stolen bases, and five runs scored in a 6-2 district loss to Medina Valley on April 2, 2026.
  • Prior to the Medina Valley series, Cadena went 4-for-7 with three RBIs and one stolen base in a two-game sweep of Del Rio.

The players

Hector Cadena

A junior at United High School in Laredo, Texas, and a Texas A&M commit, Cadena has emerged as a standout player for the Longhorns baseball team, excelling as a leadoff hitter and shortstop.

Rudy Saldivar

The head coach of the United Longhorns baseball team, who moved Cadena to the leadoff spot and shortstop position to take advantage of his ability to get on base and create scoring opportunities for the team.

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What they’re saying

“It's about giving him the chance to get more (steals) with his athleticism and getting our best player at the plate more times. It's playing out pretty well. We just want him up there more than anyone else.”

— Rudy Saldivar, United Head Coach

“He's going to grab a bag at some point. That gives us an opportunity to have three guys bring him in. We just thought it was a better chance to get our best player in scoring position and have three opportunities behind him.”

— Rudy Saldivar, United Head Coach

What’s next

United will look to bounce back from the district loss to Medina Valley and continue to rely on Cadena's production at the top of the lineup as they aim to secure a playoff spot in District 30-6A.

The takeaway

Hector Cadena's versatility and impact as a leadoff hitter and shortstop have been crucial for the United Longhorns this season. His ability to get on base and create scoring opportunities, combined with his defensive prowess, make him a valuable asset for the team as they navigate district play.