BREAKING: Ole Miss SS Jacob Gonzalez Drafted In First Round By Chicago White Sox
Former Ole Miss Rebels shortstop Jacob Gonzalez was selected with the No. 15 pick in the first round by the Chicago White Sox of the 2023 MLB Draft Sunday.
Gonzalez is the eighth first-round amateur draft pick in Rebels program, joining Tucker Ashford in 1974, Michael Rosamond in 1999, Chris Coghlan in 2006, Lance Lynn in 2008, Drew Pomeranz in 2010, Ryan Rolison in 2018 and Gunnar Hoglund in 2021 in that distinctive category. Gonzalez is the third-highest overall draft pick in program history behind Ashford and Pomeranz, who were second and fifth overall, respectively.
Ashford was selected second overall in the first round of the 1974 MLB January Draft-Regular Phase, which is different from the annual amateur draft.
In his three-year career in Oxford, Gonzalez hit .319 with 40 home runs, 158 RBIs and walking 123 times which contributed to his .427 on-base percentage. His 186 runs scored are the third most in program history.
The Glendora, Calif., native was a doubles machine in 2023, as his 18 two-baggers were tied for seventh in the Southeastern Conference. While upping his double total, he lowered his strikeouts to a career-low 28 in 202 at-bats last season.
Gonzalez hit .327 with 10 home runs, 51 RBIs and 35 walks last season.
In 2021, he was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team, while earning First and Second Team All-SEC honors in 2022 and 2023, respectively. In all three years at Ole Miss, Gonzalez never had a season with an on-base-plus-slugging percentage lower than .900.
Ole Miss will likely have at least two more draftees in outfielder Kemp Alderman and catcher Calvin Harris, who are the Nos. 55 and 133 prospects, according to MLB.com.
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