Adrian Gonzalez |
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Adrian Gonzalez (born May 8, 1982, in San Diego, California) is a Mexican-American Major League Baseball first baseman for the San Diego Padres. He was the first overall pick in the 2000 draft by the Florida Marlins.
The son of Mexican parents, Gonzalez lived 12 years of his youth in Mexico. He played for Mexico in the 2006 and 2009 World Baseball Classic.
Gonzalez was the first infield position player to be drafted first overall since Alex Rodriguez in 1993. He was drafted out of Eastlake High School and given a $3 million signing bonus. After a wrist injury, the Marlins felt Gonzalez would be hindered swinging the bat, so he was subsequently traded to the Texas Rangers in a deal for Ugueth Urbina. He played in 16 games for Texas in 2004 and in 43 games in 2005. After the season, Gonzalez was traded to the San Diego Padres along with pitcher Chris Young and outfielder Terrmel Sledge. In return, the Rangers received Adam Eaton and Akinori Otsuka. Originally seen as an eventual replacement for Ryan Klesko at first base, Gonzalez was given the job when Klesko underwent shoulder surgery.