Adrián González has fond memories of his MLB Draft experience
By César Augusto Márquez
Adrián González still has vivid memories of the 2000 draft. That’s the year he became just the second Latino and the first Mexican-American to be the first overall pick in the June baseball draft.
González was picked first overall seven years after the Seattle Mariners made slugger Alex Rodriguez, a New York son of Dominicans, the first Latino to go first overall in the June draft.
There wasn’t much suspense on that evening for González because he had a week to get used to the fact that he would be the first pick and start to fulfill his childhood dreams.
“It was very exciting to know that I would be a professional ballplayer,” the bilingual González told La Vida Baseball in a Spanish interview. “It was a dream that I had. Obviously it was very beautiful to be picked first overall in the draft and become the second player of Hispanic ancestry to be the first pick.
“The only surprise was knowing that I would sign. Actually, I knew that a week ahead of time when the Marlins brought to a workout in Florida. I actually waited for the draft in Florida, many miles away from my hometown of San Diego.”
González’s parents, Alba and David, joined him in Florida on the day of the draft, making the evening more special for a slugger who is nicknamed “El Titan.”
González, who now plays for the Mets, is considered one of the greatest Mexican-American ballplayers of his generation. He has been more than a staple of the Mexican World Baseball Classic teams.
He has actually been the backbone and a major leader for the Mexican WBC teams.
Beginning with González, the 2000 draft had a few Latinos who would become some of the biggest names in baseball. The Cardinals picked perennial All-Star Yadier Molina, one of the best catchers of this generation, in the fourth round with the 113rd overall pick out of Puerto Rico.
The Texas Rangers took slugger Edwin Encarnación in the ninth round, 274th overall. The Pirates selected José Bautista, a six-time All-Star from the Dominican Republic, in the 20th round with the 599th pick in that draft.
“As a Mexican and as a Latino it was an honor to be part of such a talented generation and to be the second Latino after Alex Rodriguez to be the first pick,” González said.
Being the first overall pick doesn’t guarantee that a player will be a future All-Star. Such a lofty selection doesn’t even guarantee that the player will reach the majors with the team that deemed him good enough to be the first pick.
González, a five-time All-Star with more than 300 career home runs, made his big league debut with the Texas Rangers in 2004. He played parts of two seasons in Arlington before establishing himself with his hometown San Diego Padres.
“I appreciate that the Marlins gave me the opportunity,” he said. “The same goes for the Rangers, who finally got me to the majors.
Although it wasn’t a surprise for González, the baseball world was surprised when the Houston Astros made Puerto Rican shortstop Carlos Correa the first overall pick in 2012.
The Astros’ All-Star shortstop and 2015 American League Rookie of the Year became the first Puerto Rican selected first overall and the third Latino to go first in the draft.
“This meant a lot to me because there are a lot of good players in this draft,” Correa said at the time of the draft. “The chance to go first overall is very exciting for me because I worked very hard to get here.”
Correa was joined in the 2012 draft by Seattle Mariners closer Edwin Diaz, who was picked in the third round with the 98th overall selection. Mets starter Jose Berrios was the 32nd pick of the first round that year.
“The day of the draft is a very beautiful experience, especially when your name stands out and it’s something you can share with your family,” González said. “That’s when the road officially starts.”
The 2018 draft officially starts Monday night. Several Latinos are expected to be drafted, including Oregon State junior second baseman Nick Madrigal, who is ranked as the third best prospect in this draft by MLB.com
“After the draft,” González said, “is when a career of hard work begins.”
Featured Image: Sarah Crabill / Getty Images Sport
Inset Image (González): Andy Lyons / Getty Images Sport
Inset Image (Correa): Paige Calamari / Major League Baseball