July 10, 20232 yr 11. Jacob Gonzalez SS Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 200 | B-T: L-R School: Mississippi Source: 4YR Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted Age At Draft: 21.1 BA Grade:55/High Tools:Hit: 55. Power: 55. Run: 30. Field: 50. Arm: 55. Gonzalez was a top-300 prospect out of Glendora (Calif.) High in 2020 who stood out for his multi-sport athleticism and powerful lefthanded swing. He went unselected and made his way to campus at Mississippi, where he’s been the starting shortstop since he stepped on campus, helped lead the team to a 2022 College World Series championship and was also selected to Team USA’s Collegiate National Team in back-to-back years. A strong and physical, 6-foot-2, 200-pound lefthanded hitter, Gonzalez has hit .319/.427/.561 through 186 games in his Ole Miss career, with 40 home runs and standout zone control skills. He is a patient and selective hitter who pairs a keen eye with solid pure bat-to-ball skills, evidenced by his 14.3% career walk rate, 10.9% career strikeout rate and an 84% contact rate in 2023. Gonzalez has above-average power potential, though his swing is a bit unorthodox and he’s been a pull-heavy hitter throughout his career. Gonzalez has a coiled upper half with his shoulders pointed toward first base, but he has an open stance with his lower half and doesn’t always get fully back to an even position at contact. In college he’s had no trouble extending his hands on the outer third and yanking balls to the pull side, though scouts wonder how he’ll handle both quality velocity and offspeed pitches on the outer rail in pro ball. Gonzalez is a 30-grade runner who takes a long time to get up to speed and because of that—and his size—scouts wonder if he’ll slide over to third base. He does have a lengthy track record as a reliable defender at shortstop, with good hands and above-average arm strength. If a team thinks he can stick at shortstop, Gonzalez offers an intriguing blend of impact, contact ability and on-base skill at a premium position with a low-pulse demeanor that should excel in a pro environment.
July 10, 20232 yr Just now, Heads22 said: he sure looks excited! Probably thinking "I can't wait until this organization destroys my progression and advancement!"
July 10, 20232 yr Seems like an attempt at a below slot pick that could potentially fill a 2B need soonish? At least that’s what I assume this broken franchise is thinking
July 10, 20232 yr 1 minute ago, Quin said: 30 grade runner at shortstop sure is something I’ve never seen a 30 grade anything. What’s a good comp? Was Nick Madrigal 30 grade power? is Grandal a 30 grade runner?
July 10, 20232 yr Just now, TheFutureIsNear said: Seems like an attempt at a below slot pick that could potentially fill a 2B need soonish? At least that’s what I assume this broken franchise is thinking No chance it’s underslot
July 10, 20232 yr 1 minute ago, Quin said: 30 grade runner at shortstop sure is something Thats has to been a typo Also it appears they are drafting scared
July 10, 20232 yr Just now, Jerksticks said: I’ve never seen a 30 grade anything. What’s a good comp? Was Nick Madrigal 30 grade power? is Grandal a 30 grade runner? Id say grandal is a 3 grade runner lol
July 10, 20232 yr Just now, Quin said: 30 grade runner at shortstop sure is something The only way this gets fixed is when the unfirable band of fools who have steered this team into the iceberg year after year are all gone. That’s when the current ownership is no longer the owner. Nothing gets fixed until Reinsdorf is gone.
July 10, 20232 yr Is this pick even going to save them money for tough signs in later rounds? What's the rationale here?
July 10, 20232 yr All the HS players refused to get signed by the Sox. "My number, um, it 2 bagillion."
July 10, 20232 yr I think I would have much preferred Bradfield or Taylor to this pick. Love to be wrong though.
July 10, 20232 yr The rest of the writers don’t hate Gonzalez as much as us, but the write up is tough for the weaknesses. But it’s not like law had this guy in the fifties. He said he’d be top ten most years.
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