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Jimmy Gonzales has been working in baseball nearly his entire life. In 2006 after twelve seasons with the Cincinnati Reds, Jimmy left to join the Washington Nationals and continues to work with them as the Nationals Midwest National Cross Checker. The 2007 Nationals Draft will go down as one of the best in club history with picks Ross Detwiler, Jordan Zimmerman, Steven Souza, and Derek Norris all reaching the Major Leagues. In 2009, 2010, and 2011 the Nationals produced 3 franchise players with their first picks in Stephen Strausberg, Bryce Harper, and Anthony Rendon. Those three players helped bring a World Series Championship to Washington DC in 2019. Jimmy who is currently the National/Midwest Supervisor for the Nationals starts his twenty sixth year as a full time scout. In that time he has signed over two hundred players to professional contracts with several of them reaching the major leagues. In 1999 Scott Williamson was named the National Leagues Rookie of the Year and Named to the National League All-Star team. Scott was a ninth round selection by Jimmy out of Oklahoma State University. In 2003, Jimmy drafted and signed Ryan Wagner out of the University of Houston, Ryan made the fastest climb to the big leagues in Reds history, spending just 60 days in the minor leagues. Wagner is now a member of the Washington Nationals. Jimmy is also credited as the supervising scout that oversaw the last six first round picks with the Reds and Nationals. In 2003 Ryan Wagner (U.of Houston), 2004 Homer Bailey (La Grange HS, TX), 2005 Jay Bruce (Beaumont Westbrook HS, TX), 2006 Drew Stubbs (U.of Texas), 2007 Ross Detwiller (Missouri St.), 2008 Aaron Crow (U.of Missouri) . Jimmy has also received the Topps Baseball Company scouting award in 1999. The Nationals 2010 and 2011 drafts are considered the best in the industry.
Prior to scouting, Jimmy, managed in the minor leagues for two seasons. His teams won league championships in both seasons and he was also named Manager of the Year in both campaigns. Before that he spent seven seasons as a college coach at Texas-Pan American University and the University of Mary Hardin Baylor. In 1992, the Mary Hardin Baylor team played for the NAIA National Championship. Over thirty of his former players went on to play professionally.
Jimmy is known for his ability to teach. He has worked with numerous professional players over the years. He has been a guest speaker and instructor at many clinics and conventions. Jimmy has also had several instructional articles published in various publications.
A native of San Antonio and graduate of Judson high school, Jimmy has made a comittment to San Antonio baseball. He has started the South Texas Professional Scouts Showcase, Brian Wilson Memorial Golf Tournament, San Antonio High School All Star Game, Nationals Youth Scout League, Winter Youth Hitting Nights, and assists with many local baseball organizations and charities in the area.
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