Four year starters don't come along all that often in high school baseball.

Talented players with the character of a Trevor Jensen may be even more rare.

The Dunedin High School senior shortstop has helped the Falcons jump out to a 12-2 start this season with his skill and leadership.

Jensen is hitting .487 with 20 runs and eight stolen bases in 14 games this season- one year after leading Pinellas County with a .530 batting average.

As impressive as those numbers are, Trevor's work ethic and demeanor are what really stand out to his teammates and coaches.

"He's the kind of kid that you'll see with a bucket of balls and a tee on the weekends- even when it's a Sunday and he could be off fishing," Dunedin head coach Ron Sexton said.  "He always makes sure to get his extra work in to make sure that he's looking ahead."

Jensen bats leadoff for the Falcons and has a knack for making contact and getting on base.

"It happens before you step in the box," Jensen said.  "I'm just trying to think, 'stay through the ball, let it get deep, go the other way."

"He never strikes out," Dunedin senior outfielder Logan Jones said. "He's always putting the ball in play.  And when he has two strikes on him, he fights like a bulldog."

Jensen has played baseball since he was four years old and has never wavered in his commitment to the sport.

He has committed to play baseball at St. Pete College on a full scholarship in the fall and hopes to eventually move on to a big division one school to continue his career.

Jensen has started and been a key contributor at Dunedin since his freshman season.  And he's consistently used a 33-inch, 30-ounce bat at the plate his entire high school career.

"(I) keep it simple- keep it the same," Jensen said.  "Just don't change anything up.  It's working, so might as well let it keep going."

Jensen says one of the best things about playing for the Falcons is the opportunity to practice and play games at the Toronto Blue Jays spring training facilities.

It's especially sweet for Jensen since his late grandfather, Bob Burdewick, devoted a lot of time and energy into Blue Jays baseball, earning a place in the Dunedin Chamber Baseball Hall of Fame.

"I'm just trying to make him proud and make everybody proud," Jensen said.  "Keep it up- and just have fun with the game."

Jensen says he hopes to have a long career in baseball, and he certainly wouldn't mind having the Blue Jays draft him at some point.

He was a member of the 2014 Big League World Series championship team that beat Puerto Rico in the finals, and now he helps coach Little League baseball in his spare time.

Right now, however, he's mostly focused on finishing his senior season with a run in the postseason.

The Falcons have won five straight games and seem to be peaking at the right time.