Gonzalez Continues Success On The Diamond

Luis Gonzalez left his mark on Arizona sports forever. The former Diamondbacks outfielder delivered the game-winning hit to bring the Valley’s only major sports championship in 2001.

His son, Jacob, is carving his path on the diamond. The Chaparral corner infielder enters his senior year as one of the state’s top high school baseball players. On Monday, he added another accolade.

Gonzalez plays for AZ T-Rex Baseball, a club team based in Arizona. The team won the Perfect Game 17-And-Under World Series on Monday, and Gonzalez was the tournament MVP.

Gonzalez stands at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, two inches taller and 30 pounds heavier than his father’s playing measurables. He plays the infield when his father spent the bulk of his time in left field with the D-Backs. “Gonzo” was known for his open stance from the left side of the plate, while Jacob is a righty and has a wide base similar to Paul Goldshmidt when he steps in the box.

There are differences between their games, yes. But Jacob shows an ability to hit for average, deliver plenty of pop and knows how to work a count.

Just like dad.

As a child, Jacob would lay low in the Diamondbacks clubhouse, sitting in his father’s locker and taking in lessons on what it means to be a ballplayer.

“I just learned the work ethic and how to carry yourself because that’s the big thing that they preach, especially on the major league level,” Gonzalez said. “Being around those guys every day helped me out with that.”

Jacob Gonzalez just looks like he belongs on a baseball diamond, and he will spend the next few years doing so for TCU. Gonzalez committed to the Horned Frogs last summer and hopes to be a regular in Omaha.

“I just love the way the program is headed,” Gonzalez said. “They have the best head coach in college baseball in my opinion (Jim Schlossnagle), the best coaching staff. They’ve made it to the College World Series the past three years and I just be a part of that, that winning program and that tradition they have going over there.”

Whether it’s college or pro ball, the Chaparral star continues to sharpen his skills each day, and the rest will take care of itself.

“I’m just going out there and trying to play hard and I will see wherever that takes me.”