UPDATED RESEARCH - Mack's Mock Pick: 1.2 - SS - Jacob Gonzalez

Jacob Gonzalez 

SS      Mississippi 

2022 Ole Miss stat line  -  65-G, 242-AB, .273, 18-HR 

 

10-7-22 - Pittsburgh Pirates: Way Too Early Look at the 2023 MLB Draft - https://rumbunter.com/2022/09/14/pittsburgh-pirates-early-look-2023-mlb-draft/ - 

Ole Miss shortstop Jacob Gonzalez is atop FanGraphs’ top draft prospects rankings for 2023 (not to be confused with minor league first baseman Jacob Gonzalez). Gonzalez has been a stud for the 2022 College World Series university. Through 610 plate appearances, Gonzalez is slashing .316/.424/.560. Gonzalez hits for good power, having hit 30 round-trippers throughout college. However, what makes him so intriguing is his elite plate coverage and discipline. Gonzalez has just 66 K’s and has drawn 88 walks. That’s a 10.8% strikeout rate and 14.4% walk rate. 

Gonzalez has also displayed a good glove up the middle. FanGraphs projects him to be a 60-grade defender. He also has a 55-grade arm, so he’ll easily have the arm strength to make the deep throws. The only downside is he lacks range. He’s a mediocre runner, so a move to the hot corner or a corner outfield position may be in his future. Regardless, Gonzalez is currently the best pure hitter among notable potential 2023 draft selections.

 

9-19-22 - Top 20 college prospects for '23 Draft -https://www.mlb.com/amp/news/top-college-prospects-for-2023-mlb-draft.html - 

3. Jacob Gonzalez, SS, Mississippi

Gonzalez's numbers dipped as a sophomore, though he still batted .273/.405/.558 with 18 homers and more walks than strikeouts, and he accounted for all three of Mississippi's runs in the CWS clincher to give the Rebels their first national championship. He has at least average big league power, controls the strike zone and has the athleticism and arm strength to remain at shortstop.

 

9-7-22 - https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2022-mlb-mock-draft-n78w7-st9r4-wa35p-2n5ls-8addg - 

3. Pittsburgh Pirates

Jacob Gonzalez, Shortstop, Ole Miss 

The Pirates have picked inside the Top 7 picks each of the last three summers and all signs point toward that happening again. Pittsburgh and General Manager Ben Cherington have gone hard after hit tools in recent history, targeting players with high contact rates and impact at the plate. Gonzalez fits that mold beautifully with an 87 percent contact rate in 2022, coupled with above average-to-plus exit velocities. He’s an average shortstop now, though he may outgrow the position. That said, he’s more than athletic enough to stay on the dirt. Gonzalez is one of the rare prospects with a high floor and an intriguing blend of upside and up-the-middle value. 

 

8-3-2022 -

Ranking the Top 30 2023 MLB Draft Prospects - 

https://www.oddschecker.com/us/insight/baseball/mlb/20220803-2023-mlb-mock-draft-ranking-the-top-30-2023-mlb-draft-prospects - 

4. Jacob Gonzalez, SS, Ole Miss 

Gonzalez had an OPS of 1.000 as a freshman with Ole Miss. He also hit 18 home runs and scouts say he's got a great eye at the plate.

 

7-20-2022 -

2023 MLB Draft mock

https://www.mlb.com/news/2023-mlb-draft-mock - 

2. Reds: Jacob Gonzalez, SS, Mississippi 

A left-handed-hitting shortstop, Gonzalez had an OPS over 1.000 as a freshman at Ole Miss, and while he slumped down the stretch in 2022, he finished well in postseason play and still hit 18 homers. He also continued to show a very advanced approach at the plate, with many more walks than strikeouts, all coming while playing a premium position.

 

7-19-22 - 2023 MLB Draft: 10 College Players to Know -

https://baseballprospectjournal.com/2023-mlb-draft-10-college-players-to-know/ - 

Jacob Gonzalez, SS, Mississippi 

Gonzalez has made a tremendous impact offensively in his first two years at Ole Miss. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound left-handed hitter is a well-rounded offensive player. He has notable bat-to-ball skills and hits for average and power to all fields. He also has tremendous plate discipline, as he has more walks (88) than strikeouts (66) at Ole Miss. 

Defensively, Gonzalez is athletic and possesses above-average arm strength. He has good instincts and will remain at shortstop long term.

Mack - 

The baseball world is in love with this guy even though he had meh numbers last year as a soph.

Is the SS class weak?

Me? 

I want to see another season before I totally sign off on him as a top 3 pick.