New Mexico State shortstop Nick Gonzalez jumped out to a red-hot start to the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season, with 12 home runs, 36 RBI, 21 walks, and a .448 batting average in just 16 games for the Aggies.
The junior from Vail, Arizona, finished the shortened season ranked in the top-5 in 10 different categories, while leading all players in home runs, runs, and RBI.
Gonzalez’s impressive performance earned national player of the year honors from Colligate Baseball Newspaper. It is the first time in school history that an Aggie received national player of the year honors from a publication.
While some may view the award with an asterisk based on the fact that only 16 games were played before the NCAA canceled all spring sports, it should be noted that Gonzales led the nation in batting average last season and was 5th with 80 RBI.