Adrian Gonzalez: The number one overall selection in the June 2000
draft, Gonzalez was the Marlins choice as they didn't want to have a
repeat of what happened last season when they selected Josh Beckett number
two overall and almost were unable to sign him. Instead, the organization
agreed to a pre-draft deal with a $3 million bonus for this 18-year-old
first baseman.
As a senior at Eastlake High School (CA), Gonzalez swung the bat
to a .645 average along with 13 home runs and 34 runs batted in (76 AB).
He spent his first summer as a pro playing in the Gulf Coast League and
even though he didn't show the power you want from that position (0 HR in
193 AB), he did put up some other good stats (.295, 30 RBI, 24 R, 10 2B, 1
3B, 32 BB, and 35 SO). His season ended with a brief stint in the NY-Penn
League for Utica (.310 3 2B, 3 RBI, 7 R, 7 BB, 6 SO in 29 AB).
At
6-2 and 190 pounds, this left-hander has a very nice and smooth swing
which should help him develop into a solid, consistent .300+ hitter.
As he develops, you could project the power numbers to come around. Right
now, I will say 20+ homers a year until we see how he develops as he
advances up the minors. In the field, he could become one of the top
fielding first basemen in any league that he plays in. He's seems very
fluid handling that position.
There might have been some players available in the draft with
overall higher ceilings than what Gonzalez may have, but he was one of the
safer picks in my view. Gonzalez should open the 2001 season at
Low-A.