Marco Gonzales can do more than pitch

As if being the 19th overall selection in the 2013 First-Year Player Draft was not enough, Gonzaga’s Marco Gonzales received another major honor on Saturday night.

The new Gulf Coast League Cardinal was named the nation’s best combination of pitcher and hitter at the College Baseball Hall of Fame’s annual Night of Champions in Lubbock, Texas. The College Baseball Foundation bestowed upon the 21-year-old left-hander the 2013 John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award.

Perhaps the Cardinals should ensure Gonzales continues to gets his at-bats as a pitcher so he does not lose his hitting prowess. Along with his 7-3 record and a save, a 2.80 ERA to go with 96 strikeouts and 25 strikeouts in 106 innings, the Fort Collins, Col. native batted .311, hit two home runs and drove in 26 as the Zags’ first baseman. Earlier, Gonzales was named Co-West Coast Conference Player of the Year.

Other winners included Oklahoma’s Jonathan Gray – pitcher of the year, Mississippi’s Stuart Turner – the nation’s top catcher, LSU’s Alex Bregman – the country’s top shortstop and Mike Dickson of Gloucester County (N.J.) College – coach of the year.

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