College Baseball Daily continues our countdown to the start of the 2013 college baseball season by checking in on the Top 100 Players in the country. We will be adding players day-by-day until we get to number one!
Number 8 on our Top 100 Countdown is Gonzaga’s Marco Gonzales. The 6’1 left-handed pitcher from Fort Collins, Colorado was selected in the 29th round of the 2010 MLB Draft by the Colorado Rockies.
During his freshman season, Gonzales made 15 starts on the mound going 11-2. In his 105 innings pitched, Gonzales struck out 90 batters while walking just 21, posting an ERA o 2.57. Gonzales also made appearances at both first base and left field for Gonzaga as he batted .291 on the season earning West Coast Conference Co-Player of the Year.
His success continued into his sophomore season as he went 8-2 with an ERA of 1.55 in 12 starts. In his 93 innings pitched, he struck out 92 while walking 23. Offensively, he hit .325 on the year. In the summer following his sophomore year, Gonzales played for Team USA as well as in the Cape Cod League.
From a scouting perspective, the versatility that Gonzales brings to the plate as a two-way player only helps to secure his draft stock as one of the top players of the 2013 draft class. His repertoire includes a fastball that he has excellent command of that sits between 88-92 mph, one of the best changeups in college baseball, and also a curveball and slider that aren’t primary pitches yet. What makes Gonzales such a strong prospect on the mound is that his consistency and control are at a level that exceeds college expectations, making him one of the top players to watch for in 2013.
You can check out the rest of our Top 100 by clicking here.
