Adrian Gonzales

Adrián González Savín (born May 8, 1982), also known by his nicknames "A-Gon" and "Titán", is a Mexican-American former professional baseball first baseman.

He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers, San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Mets.

González was born in the United States, but was raised in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, until 1990, when he returned to the United States.

In 1990, the family returned to the United States, settling in Bonita, California.

González was the first overall pick in the 2000 MLB draft by the Florida Marlins.

While Adrián was drafted by the Florida Marlins out of high school, his brother Edgar Gonzalez attended San Diego State University and was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 30th round of the 2000 draft.

In June 2000, González became the first infield position player to be drafted first overall since Alex Rodriguez in 1993.

He was given a $3 million signing bonus by the Florida Marlins.

While in the Marlins organization, González played with the Gulf Coast League Marlins, Kane County Cougars, Utica Blue Sox, Portland Sea Dogs (2002), Albuquerque Isotopes (2003), and Carolina Mudcats (2003).

With the Single-A Kane County Cougars in his second professional season, González hit .312 with 17 home runs and 103 RBIs in 127 games.

As a result, he was selected by the Midwest League as its Most Valuable Player and Prospect of the Year.

He also played in the All-Star Futures Game.

After a wrist injury, the Marlins felt González would be hindered swinging the bat, so they included González in a June 2003 trade with the Texas Rangers, along with Ryan Snare and minor leaguer Will Smith, to acquire relief pitcher Ugueth Urbina to aid their championship drive.

He was traded to the Rangers, and made his MLB debut with them in 2004.

González played with the Rangers' Class-AA team, the Frisco RoughRiders, until he made his major-league debut against the Seattle Mariners on April 18, 2004.

He was hitless in three at-bats.

He recorded his first base hit on April 20 against Ramón Ortiz of the Anaheim Angels and his first home run on April 25 off Kevin Jarvis of the Seattle Mariners.

He played in 16 games for Texas in 2004 and in 43 games in 2005, with a combined batting average of .229 and 7 homers.

After the season, González 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, González was given the job when Klesko underwent shoulder surgery.

He was traded to the Padres after the 2005 season, where he was an All-Star selection three times and a two-time Gold Glove Award winner.

He played for Mexico in the 2006, 2009, 2013, and the 2017 editions of the World Baseball Classic and the 2020 Olympic Games.

With extended playing time at first base in 2006, González continued to improve his hitting and defense.

On July 23, 2006, he was named the NL Player of the Week.

In his first full season, he led the Padres in batting average (.304) and home runs (24).

He was the first player in Petco Park history to have more than one multiple home run game.

He was named the Padres MVP for 2006.

Edgar debuted in the major leagues as a utility man with the San Diego Padres in 2008, joining his brother as a teammate.

He was traded to the Red Sox after the 2010 season, and was traded to the Dodgers in August 2012.

In 2012, David and Alba González were named George and Barbara Bush Little League Parents of the Year.

In November 2012, González was honored as one of 30 "exemplary citizens" by the mayor of Tijuana in an official ceremony.

González was projected to be a late first-round pick out of Eastlake High School in Chula Vista, California; however, his stock increased with his senior-year performance.

In his senior year, he hit .645 with 13 home runs and 34 runs batted in.

After playing for the Dodgers throughout the 2017 season, he was traded to the Atlanta Braves, but was released without playing for them.

He then played for the Mets, who released him during the 2018 season.

Adrián González was born in San Diego, California to David and Alba González, both Mexican natives.

González is the youngest of three boys; his brothers are David Jr. and Edgar, a former big leaguer.

After his birth, his parents moved the family to Tijuana, where his father owned an air-conditioner business.

The three boys grew up playing baseball in Mexico, where their father had been a member of the Mexico national baseball team.