Kansas City Royals Take UVA's Julian Gonzalez

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June 4, 1999

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – University of Virginia right fielder JulianGonzalez was drafted Thursday in the 36th round of the 1999 AmateurBaseball Draft by the Kansas City Royals. Virginia has now had at least oneplayer drafted each of the last 11 seasons.

A native of Avon Park, Fla., Gonzalez hit .292 this season for headcoach Dennis Womack’s club. He tied Jon Benick for the team lead with 16doubles, while hitting a career-high seven home runs and driving in 33runs. Gonzalez, who possessed one of the best outfield arms in the AtlanticCoast Conference this past season, had 11 outfield assists and was 10-of-14in stolen bases.

Over four years, Gonzalez tallied 14 home runs, 28 doubles, 78 RBIand posted a .446 slugging percentage. Gonzalez, along with seniorright-handed pitcher Bradley Nuckols, were the last remaining members ofUVa’s 1996 ACC Championship squad.