BENJAMIN GONZALEZ
1/16/90; '08 7th; Puerto Rico Baseball Academy
R/R; 5-11, 160
| Level |
BA |
OBP |
SA |
AB |
2B |
3B |
HR |
BB |
K |
SB |
CS |
| 2008 R |
.207 |
.331 |
.223 |
121 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
22 |
28 |
8 |
1 |
For the second year in a row, the Pirates selected a player
from the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy in the 7th round. This is an example
of how silly it is for teams to refuse to admit that other factors
influence their selections besides taking the "best player
available." What are the odds that, out of the thousands of schools who
have players drafted every year, two years in a row a player from the Puerto Rico
Baseball Academy was the best player available when the Pirates selected in
the seventh round? At any rate, according to Baseball America, Gonzalez runs well and
is a good defensive player, but scouts are doubtful he'll be able to
hit well enough for the pros. He
had a commitment to Oklahoma State, but signed with the Pirates. He played
about as expected in the GCL, doing very little with the bat beyond showing very
good plate discipline and some speed. Despite the presence of Jarek Cunningham and
Andury Acevedo, Gonzalez was the team's primary shortstop, which is probably an indication
of his defensive ability. He's likely to move up to State College next year, although
he's young enough that the Pirates could decide to keep him in the GCL.
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