By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
Rivera’s Raul Gonzalez was a bright spot for the Raiders this season.
The Raiders fell short of a playoff berth this year, but with Gonzalez in the lineup that could change in the near future.
Gonzalez, who was the top newcomer in District 32-6A, adds another honor to his season. He has been named The Brownsville Herald’s 2016 All-Metro Baseball Newcomer of the Year.
“It’s a privilege (to receive the award),” Gonzalez said. “It will help me out next year. Hopefully my team can accomplish a lot more.”
The freshman hit .366 with 11 RBIs and had five stolen bases during district play. Gonzalez, the Raiders right fielder, also had a .925 fielding percentage.
Gonzalez got a late start to the baseball season, but Rivera coach Travis Parker took him under his wing and he flourished.
“Raul’s going to be something special,” Parker said. “He’s a little dynamite, I can see that. Only once in a while do you get players that come through your program like that. I think he’s one of those guys; you don’t see that that often. He worked hard every day. I was very proud of him.”
Gonzalez hit lead off for the Raiders in all but a few games this season. His spark at the top of the order helped Rivera build early leads in quite a few games. Unfortunately, the young Raiders team didn’t play well enough to make the postseason, but Gonzalez sees the potential in his teammates.
“It didn’t go that well, but it’s going to help us down the road,” he said. “We learned a lot. We just need to work hard and be committed (next season).”
Parker said Gonzalez had a quiet demeanor, but when it became game time, Gonzalez was a different person between the base lines. He hopes that vocal player on the field will carry into the locker room next year.
“He’s a perfect example of showing me,” Parker said of Gonzalez and his daily work ethic on the practice field. “I think he can be a leader for us next year. I think he’s confident enough in his abilities.”
Parker didn’t hide his enthusiasm when talking about the potential that Gonzalez possesses at an early age. Parker knows it’s up to him, but he expects his young outfielder to get better and better in the next three seasons.
“I think he is the type of player that has the potential to be a district MVP,” Parker said of his talent. “Someday, I think he can play at the next level. He has that potential.”
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.