Gonzalez Might Pitch In More For Collegiate National Team

ANAHEIM—Luis Gonzalez considers himself an outfielder first and a pitcher second. So does USA Baseball Collegiate National Team manager George Horton.

With the way he threw Thursday though, the New Mexico two-way standout may continue to get more and more opportunities to pitch.

Gonzalez started in left field but came on to the mound in the eighth inning against the Urban Youth Academy Barons at Angel Stadium and needed only 10 pitches to retire the side in order, including a strikeout.

The 6-foot, 185-pound lefthander flashed a 90-91 mph fastball with late fade away from righthanded hitters, a 79 mph changeup and a 79 mph curveball in his debut outing for Team USA.

“We heard he had pretty good stuff and when he was warming up he didn’t look that good, but he’s a ballplayer,” said Horton, who is Oregon’s head coach. “When they said play ball and he was competing for real, the ball was really coming out of his hand. I was pleasantly surprised.”

Gonzalez has played the dual role since his days at Catalina Foothills High in Tucson. He was recruited to New Mexico as an outfielder, but ended up throwing 38 1/3 innings as a freshman in addition to 49 games in the outfield.

This past season Gonzalez hit .357 with 15 doubles, six homers, 38 RBI and .989 OPS while also taking the role of midweek starter and tossing 32 2/3 innings.

“I would say I like to hit more,” Gonzalez said. “I like to play every day in the game, but pitching is awesome too. I don’t see myself not pitching.”

Though he has struggled somewhat on the mound with the Lobos, recording a 5.83 ERA with 43 strikeouts and 32 walks in 71 career innings, there was no sign of those issues with Team USA.

Gonzalez led off with a five-pitch strikeout, induced a weak fly ball and a routine ground ball to get out of the inning in a matter of a few minutes.

“We have a zero on the board, and that’s what I’m mainly shooting for,” Gonzalez said. “My mindset was just go out there and throw strikes. You’ve got team USA behind you, this is the best defense I’ve ever thrown with. I’m just out there pitching to contact. Just letting the defense work.”

Gonzalez is also 1-for-2 with a single so far in the competition and laid down a sacrifice. He also successfully converted his only opportunity in the outfield.

It’s that ability to do a little bit of everything that got him on the CNT trials roster in the first place, and what makes him worth keeping an eye on.

“We’re looking for versatility and he gives us that,” Horton said. “The more roles the guys can play, the better.”