Trojans' Gonzalez drafted in 10th round by Baltimore Orioles

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on June 7, 2014 11:08 PM

• Print
• Email

rcoggins@newsargus.com

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Jay Gonzalez has often dreamt of stepping into the batter's box and taking a few cuts against Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander.

He's one step closer to turning that fantasy into reality.

The University of Mount Olive junior center fielder was selected in the 10th round of the Major League Baseball Draft by the Baltimore Orioles on Friday evening. Gonzalez is the third Trojan in program history to get picked by the Orioles along with Chris Bray (1995) and Jeremy Nowak (2010).

The moment felt surreal for Gonzalez.

Just before he received a call from his adviser, the San Diego native had spoken with the Tampa Bay Rays. Gonzalez said they wanted to know if he'd sign if they drafted him.

"Yeah," Gonzalez told the organization's bosses.

Moments later, Gonzalez went as the 301st pick overall in the final round of the day. He worked out for the Orioles earlier this season on campus, but had no idea they'd kept an eye on him.

Gonzalez attended pre-draft workouts, not only at Tampa Bay, but at Miami, Seattle and Texas. The experience of stepping into the batter's box and running the same bases that the Major League legends of his time have played on nearly overwhelmed him.

"It was a little nerve-wrecking," Gonzalez said. "It's a moment I will never forget and always take with me because I had the opportunity to be on four Major League baseball fields. I left every one of the workouts thinking I was the best outfielder at that workout.

"I ran as good as I hoped I would, my BP (batting practice) was awesome. I completed a goal -- hitting a home run in each of the parks. Everything went exactly how I hoped it would."

But Gonzalez added he might not have had the chance had he stayed at Auburn. He transferred after his sophomore year and the UMO staff immediately welcomed him to perennial Division II powerhouse in eastern North Carolina.

His teammates at Auburn and UMO questioned his move. Gonzalez knew he could play every day with the Trojans and improve his stock with the MLB scouts.

Carl Lancaster knew it, too.

"Jay came here with the sole purpose of improving his chances of getting the opportunity to play at the next level," said Lancaster, UMO's head coach who has groomed 31 MLB draftees during his two-plus decades in the dugout.

"He took the risk and it paid off. I think his biggest regret is that he was only here one year. Our work-hard attitude fit him just fine ... pushed him to develop as a player, which is often not the case at major universities where there is a lot of talent and 'may the best man win' (mentality)."

Gonzalez played in all 53 games for the Trojans this spring. He broke the single-season school record for stolen bases (51), which was shared by Anthony Calloway and David Cooper.

The 5-foot-11, 180-pounder emerged as the team leader in total plate appearances (258), official at-bats (214), runs scored (81), hits (91), on-base percentage (.500) and batting average (.425).

Gonzalez earned first-team All-American honors from Rawlings/ABCA.

"I think playing for the University of Mount Olive is the greatest thing that ever happened to me," Gonzalez said. "Going there and being around such a hard-working group of people who are so quiet, respectful ... people who grind every day is something that can never be taken away from me."

Gonzalez reports to Baltimore early this week for a physical and contract negotiations. He won't know his playing assignment until the organization has made all of their draft selections.

"I'm all about the competition, so I hope they throw me in with the (big) dogs and let me fight," said Gonzalez, who knows he has plenty of work ahead of him.

"I want to start showing off my talent and showing that I belong in the organization and in the league, and work my way through (to the Big Show) as fast as possible."

Look out Justin.