"Smiley" Gonzalez wins GCL batting title
Esmailyn "Smiley" Gonzalez, the Nationals infield prospect and a 2006 non-drafted free agent, won the Gulf Coast League batting title with a .350 average. Gonzalez clinched the title on Wednesday by going 2-2 with a double and two RBI against the GCL Marlins.
Gonzalez finished the regular season with 12 doubles, three triples, two home runs, 33 RBI, 23 walks, nine stolen bases and an on-base percentage of .436 in 50 games.
"He (Gonzalez) was able to be healthy this year, and he came in shape and he worked really hard; and he's come a long way in a short period of time, and we're excited about him," Senior Vice President and General Manager Jim Bowden said. "Next year we expect him to continue to progress; we think he'll skip Vermont (Short-Season Single-A) and go right to Hagerstown (Single-A). At 18-years old, we're pretty excited."
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