NMSU's Nick Gonzales named National Player of The Year
Despite college baseball being cancelled back in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NMSU junior shortstop Nick Gonzales was still named Collegiate Baseball's National Player of the Year (.448, 12 HR, 3 2B, 36 RBI, 21 walks – 10 intentional).
Gonzales finished the season ranked in the top five in the nation in 10 categories: home runs (1st), home runs per game (3rd), runs (1st), runs batted in (1st), runs batted in per game (1st), total bases (1st), slugging percentage (2nd), on-base percentage (3rd), walks (4th) and walks per game (5th).
Gonzales hit five home runs in a single day against Purdue Fort Wayne on Feb. 29 as he hit two in game one of a doubleheader before belting three more in the nightcap, including an inside-the-park grand slam.
At one point, he hit 12 home runs in only 48 at-bats over 13 games and was on pace to hit 50 homers.
When the season was suspended, he had a national best on-base streak of 82 consecutive games.
According to the latest MLB.com Mock Draft for next months MLB Draft, Gonzales is projected to be selected with the 4th Pick by the Kansas City Royals.
