College Player Report Database
Previously Featured
February 21 Notebook: Doug Nikhazy, Drew Hill, Taylor Broadway
February 22 Notebook: Gunnar Hoglund
Jacob Gonzalez, SS, 2023 Eligible
The 2021 College Baseball Showdown was a boon of success for Ole Miss as they went 3-0 and ascended to the No. 1 team in the country, but even more so it might have been a coming out party for true freshman Jacob Gonzalez. The Southern California native hit .363 with a laser, no-doubt bomb over the course of the three games and showed maturity both from an offensive and defensive perspective.
At 6-foot-2, 200-pounds, Gonzalez has the prototypical size and room for projection as a true shortstop prospect at the collegiate level. He made a number of really impressive plays over at shortstop with soft hands, smooth actions, and was accurate from a number of different slots. He's an advanced defender with the arm to stick on the left side long term. Obviously, given the size there's the risk that he outgrows the position but he moves well and is light on his feet presently.
The swing features a steeper swing at times as he really gets onto that backside aggressively pre-pitch. He spreads out his lower half even wider when it comes to two strikes and shortens up the swing as he just throws the hands out and allows his physical tools to take hold. The swing is smooth from the left side and he does already have power to the pull side as he showed with a line shot of a homer in the second game against Texas Tech.
This was a strong look at a prospect that has been thrust into the role of "opening day SEC SS" as a true freshman and has flourished so far. It's a long season but Gonzalez was already thought of highly entering the year as he's on our list of top draft prospects on the college side for the draft class of 2023.
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