At 6’2, 175, lefty-hitting Jacob Gonzalez could potentially be the highest-drafted Ole Miss Rebel since Drew Pomeranz went fifth overall in 2010. He helped lead the Rebels to their first-ever National Championship and has played short for the US Collegiate National Team the past two summers. Currently ranked 15th overall according to MLB.com, should he fall to the latter half of the first round, he would be a steal.
SEC Player of the Year Watchlist: Jacob Gonzalez, SS, Ole Miss
One of the nations best all-around players and a top tier draft prospect, the Rebels SS is a bonafide POTY contender. pic.twitter.com/VVlsZeUZBA
— SEC Baseball (@SECbaseball) January 21, 2023
Jacob Gonzalez MLB Draft Profile
Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Run: 40 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55
Strengths
Jacob Gonzalez possesses above-average bat-to-ball skills at the plate. Through 186 games at the collegiate level, he hit to a line of .319/.427/.561 with 40 home runs and 158 RBI. He amassed a total of 225 hits in that time and walked more times than he struck out. The fabled 3/4/5 slash line is a huge accomplishment, even at the collegiate level, and Gonzalez certainly has the potential to perform at a similar level in the Majors.
His power also rates as above average. At 21 years of age, he still has plenty of time to grow and add more muscle to his lanky frame and could be a 25+ home run per season hitter when all is said and done. Gonzalez has the ability to shoot the ball into the gap as well, as he racked up 43 doubles in his three years with Ole Miss.
Weaknesses
Jacob Gonzalez’s biggest weakness is his speed. Coming in at a below-average grade of 40, this could hurt him down the line and cause him to move from shortstop to second or third base. He does have the arm to play at the hot corner should that change become necessary in the future.
Gonzalez went after more home runs in his sophomore year and it hurt his offensive production. Keeping him in the right mindset and playing the way that he does best could prove difficult should the urge for a power surge return down the road.
MLB Player Comparison
Francisco Lindor was drafted in the first round of the 2011 MLB Draft by the Cleveland Guardians. He is a switch-hitting shortstop that quickly made a name for himself with his bat-to-ball skills. At just three inches shorter, and close to the same build, Lindor’s and Gonzalez’s games most closely resemble each other. Lindor is also not the fleetest of foot, but his instincts and arm strength, much like Gonzalez’s could, have kept him at his preferred position of shortstop.
The biggest difference between Lindor and Gonzalez is Lindor’s strikeout rate. Lindor strikes out much more than Gonzalez does, however, Gonzalez’s ability to limit strikeouts could not transfer to the Major League level. All in all, Jacob Gonzalez is a top-tier draft prospect. He could very well be a multi-time All-Star, multi-time Silver Slugger award winner, and even bring home a Gold Glove or two. Whoever does draft Gonzalez will have someone whose ceiling is an All-Star, and whose floor is a bottom-of-the-lineup role player.
Main photo credits:
Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
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