DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER
John Henry Gonzalez celebrated his graduation from Edinburg High School last weekend. By this weekend, he could choose to become a professional baseball player.
Gonzalez, a 5-foot-10, 210-pound flame-throwing right-handed pitcher, is expected to be taken in the 40-round Major League Baseball draft that starts with rounds 1 and 2 on Thursday, continues Friday and finishes Saturday. He is one of two Rio Grande Valley high school players that could be selected, along with Brownsville Veterans Memorial’s Fred Villarreal.
Gonzalez is a power arm. He topped out at 93 miles per hour in 2016 and averaged 90-91 miles per hour on his fastball. He went 9-0 with a 0.89 ERA and 109 strikeouts to 31 walks in 63 innings. For his career as a Bobcat, he went 21-3 with a 0.74 ERA and 261 strikeouts in 152.1 innings.
Gonzalez signed last fall to continue his career at Texas Tech after verbally committing to the program as a junior. But depending on how early he is drafted, he could end up wearing the colors of a MLB team instead of the Red Raiders.
“It’s about what will be best overall,” Gonzalez said. “Already I have that full-ride scholarship. But if where I’m taken is a fit and it’s high enough for me, where I know I can work through the system … that’s what’s important. Money is half and half, and that would be more for my family and a luxury to help them out after carrying so much weight on their shoulders in what they’ve done for me. Money is something, but it’s not all I’m worried about in this process.”
If Gonzalez chooses to bypass going pro to play for the Red Raiders, he will not be eligible to be drafted again until after his junior season.
“If he doesn’t get drafted high, which we feel is the top 10 rounds, he’ll be going to Texas Tech,” said Gonzalez’s father, John. “It’s about the dollar amount. Then you have scouts tell you don’t worry about the dollar amount, it’s about the opportunity. Just to get drafted, no matter where, is an honor. So there are things to think about. It’s not going to be an easy decision.”
Marcos Tovar Jr., in his third year as an associate scout with the Tampa Bay Rays, started watching Gonzalez two years ago. Since then, Tovar and area scout Pat Murphy have paid close attention to him.
Tovar, who lives in Mercedes and covers the area for the Rays, said he saw Gonzalez about 8-9 times this season. Gonzalez said the Rays have been his primary suitor. Discussions have taken place in regard to money and draft slot.
John Gonzalez said the Rays have talked contractually about a base sum of $120,000 to cover college. Gonzalez’s Texas Tech scholarship accounts for the full $15,000 per semester.
“He’s got good arm strength, a good build,” said Tovar, who has also been an associate scout with the Houston Astros and Arizona Diamondbacks. “His velocity is good right now. He shows a lot of composure on the mound. Those are the important parts we found interesting in him. But he’s also a great kid off the field, and that’s a major point for us in looking at a kid.”
Gonzalez said the San Francisco Giants, New York Mets and Washington Nationals have also expressed interest. He also received phone calls from the Colorado Rockies and text messages from the Miami Marlins. The Rays and Houston Astros have visited the Gonzalez’s’ home.
“I’ve had serious talks with the Rays, but you never know,” Gonzalez said. “I know it’s open. There have been guys who have been drafted by teams that never even talked to them. Anything can happen, and it’s something else that’s not in my control.”
Gonzalez said Texas Tech has maintained a prominent presence during the last few weeks. He has received countless text messages from coaches celebrating each win as the team continues its postseason run to the NCAA Super Regionals.
Gonzalez said he has the best of both worlds: either he is drafted and turns pro, or he elects to go to college for a few years and play for one of the nation’s top programs.
“It’s a crazy thing to be able to get drafted out of high school,” Gonzalez said. “It’s a nervous time, not just for myself but my family. It’s been hectic. A lot of people talk about college in high school, and it’s a good thing to have that as a fallback. So I’m not worried about what happens.”