DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER
EDINBURG — John Henry Gonzalez’s recruiting process wasn’t extensive or too exhausting. The Edinburg High senior pitcher received a full scholarship offer from Texas Tech early last fall and verbally committed soon thereafter.
Gonzalez made it official Friday afternoon when he signed his letter of intent to play for the Red Raiders. The hard-throwing right-hander said Texas Tech was a no-doubter all along the way despite receiving early interest from Texas and Florida International, among other NCAA Division I schools.
“They were one of my first offers and I love that school,” Gonzalez said. “I took the opportunity and ran with it. They showed me it was home and I could trust everybody there. All the coaches treated me like I actually mattered. I just love it.
“Ever since I was small, I wanted to play college baseball. It’s a big thing, because it’s the next stepping stone to the pros and it’s a great opportunity that I’ve got.”
As a junior last season, Gonzalez went 9-1 with a 0.11 ERA in helping lead the Bobcats to the Class 6A regional semifinals for the first time since 1956. He had 110 strikeouts to just 30 walks in 63 innings in working his way to becoming RGVSports.com’s 2015 All-Valley Pitcher of the Year.
It was a breakout year for Gonzalez, who was used carefully by coach Robert Valdez during his first two seasons. Gonzalez refined his arm angle and arm speed during those years, and then started going to a changeup more last season once opponents started catching up to a fastball that hits the low 90s.
“We’ve slowly brought him along, and now this year is trying to surpass everything,” Valdez said. “Really give him a full year to play. It’s been a slow process. He’s learned to pitch, instead of just throwing, and we’re looking forward to a big spring.
“This is what we’ve been building up to, and one of the biggest attributions for John has been his ability to display a leadership role. We continue to look for that growth.”
Gonzalez said he wants “to be ready for anything” his senior season. He spent the summer with travel teams improving his fastball and working on off-speed pitches.
“It’s a good feeling not having to worry anymore about college,” he said. “I can just concentrate on baseball, on our team and just go out there and do my thing. Hopefully I can take my team far.”