DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER
EDINBURG — Since the start of the season in February, Valley baseball coaches have spoken admirably of Edinburg High’s wealth of pitching. For good reason, too, as the Bobcats (12-2-1, 5-1 District 31-6A) have been spurred by a four-man rotation that has a combined 1.80 ERA.
But it’s the youngest of the bunch, junior right-hander John Gonzalez, who really gives opposing coaches nightmares.
Gonzalez is 4-0 with a 0.00 ERA in seven appearances, already with one no-hitter under his belt this season and two outs from adding another one Tuesday against PSJA North.
The Texas Tech verbal commit has struck out 46 and walked 13 in 24 innings, boasting a fastball that consistently reaches the low 90s.
And he will tell you his success has nothing to do with any of that.
“I depend on my team a lot,” Gonzalez said. “I think when you know your team can make plays behind you, you feel like you have nothing to lose. So I’m pitching with all I’ve got instead of worrying about making a mistake.”
Gonzalez has made his name during his high school career because of his heat. But he is making more of a name as a pitcher because of his developing arsenal.
“John is one of those kids blessed with a great arm,” seventh-year Bobcats coach Robert Valdez said. “But to see him evolve and really become a pitcher, to where he understands why we’re calling certain pitches … it’s great to see. He’s always been the type to just want to rear back and let it go.
“But it’s about learning how to pitch, and he’s learning the finer things it takes to become a true pitcher.”
Gonzalez introduced a changeup this season, and his curveball has become almost as deadly as his fastball. His maturity as a pitcher is evident in the way he talks.
No longer does he talk only about how hard he throws. He talks about controlling his off-speed stuff and location. Location, location, location.
“For us, it’s more about being able to hit locations and spots so that we can put together a game plan and have an idea of how we’re going to attack our hitters and set our defense,” said Valdez, whose team has allowed just 17 earned runs in 93 innings this season. “It’s paid dividends.”
Gonzalez is in his first year as a starter since spending most of his innings as a closer the last two years. That was done on purpose.
Valdez and pitching coach David Kaz, former teammates playing baseball for Pan American in the 80s, have brought him along slowly, refining everything from arm angles to arm speed, to get him to this point, a key starter expected to be the main guy next season.
“I’ve been playing baseball since I was 4,” Gonzalez said. “Outside of high school baseball, I’ve always been a starter or the main pitcher. I think if anything’s changed, it’s my view. I’ve slowed the game down instead of just throwing all out from the first pitch. I’m more willing to pitch to my defense.”
Gonzalez is far from a finished product. While he has committed to a full ride from Texas Tech, where he plans to follow Sharyland High alum Eric Gutierrez as the next Valley Red Raider great, he still has goals. He wants to slim down, get his core stronger. He wants his velocity to reach 95 by next season.
With the strides made so far, anything is possible for the 5-foot-10, 190-pounder.
“His velocity is better than most,” Valdez said. “The only other guy I think can match is the (Freddy) Villarreal kid from Brownsville Vets. It’s just hard to get your timing and get comfortable knowing he has that curveball and changeup.
“It becomes a guessing game against him.”