June 5, 2013
THE FLATS – Georgia Tech infielder Matt Gonzalez has been selected to the 2013 Louisville Slugger Freshman All-America Team, which was announced Wednesday by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.
Gonzalez started 58 games as a freshman for the Yellow Jackets, hitting .291 with nine doubles, two triples, three home runs and 37 RBI. The Acworth, Ga., native also swiped 10 bases, which was second on the club.
Of Gonzalez’s 58 starts, 44 came at second base, 11 others at designated hitter and three at third. The rookie was drafted in the 11th round by Oakland as a third baseman out of high school. He is in line to be the Jackets starting third baseman – his natural position – next season with the graduation of two-year starter Sam Dove.
Gonzalez becomes Tech’s first Freshman All-America selection since Kyle Wren and Zane Evans in 2011. All-time, 31 Jackets have been named Freshman All-Americans, highlighted by Matt Wieters (2007), Mark Teixeira (1999), Nomar Garciaparra (1992) and Jason Varitek (1991).
Under head coach Danny Hall, a total of 19 players have garnered 32 Freshman All-America honors. Teixeira in 1999 and Derek Dietrich in 2008 are the only two Jackets to be named the National Freshman of the Year by Louisville Slugger.
