Jacob Gonzalez, 3B. DOB: 6/26/1998. B-R, T-R. 6'3", 190 lbs. Drafted 2017 Round 2, # overall.
2018 Low A: .227/.296/.331, 20 2B, 2 3B, 8 HR, 7 SB, 6.1 BB%, 21.1 K%, 507 PA.
Jacob Gonzalez had a rough first full season in Augusta, no way around that. A ball is a huge jump from rookie ball. The SAL in general and Augusta in particular is a tough league for hitters, and young players drafted out of HS are often not ready for the grind of playing every day for 5 months in the heat of the summer. Jacob hit .252 for the first half, which is still not great, but given the context is nothing to be ashamed of. His numbers cratered over the last 2 months of the season. His secondary numbers, particularly his K rate are not bad for the context either. He did show some pop his the bat with the 8 dingers.
Jacob gets praise in scouting reports for his raw power, physicality, pitch selection and approach at the plate. More an open question is his hit tool and ability to stay at 3B. He has two big things going against him IMO. He was already on the old side for his draft class(over 1 full year older than Heliot Ramos) and He suddenly has all kinds of competition for playing time at 3B in the lower minors. Jacob, David Villar, Sean Roby and Yorlis Rodriguez are all going to be competing for full season 3B gigs in San Jose and Augusta. One or two of those players could get some innings at 1B and/or LF to make room at 3B. I think there is still enough upside for Jacob that the Giants should make sure they have an appropriate place to play in 2019 which promises to be a pivotal year for Jacob Gonzalez, I would say close to make or break.
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