Monroe High Ace Miguel Gonzalez Preparing For Future As A Father

It’s an hr earlier Monroe High’s shot squad takes infield practice. In nan dugout dressed successful his uniform, Miguel Gonzalez has his scissors retired giving a free haircut to a teammate.

“Ten retired of 10,” infielder Alexander Hernandez said erstwhile describing Gonzalez’s barber skills.

His pitching skills aren’t bad either. He struck retired 12 successful six innings successful his play debut. He’s 5-0 pinch a 0.69 ERA. He’s a four-year varsity subordinate for nan astonishing Vikings, who are 13-1 to commencement this play nether second-year coach Eddie Alcantar.

The truth that Gonzalez is still playing mightiness travel arsenic nan biggest astonishment if you knew each nan responsibilities he faces arsenic an 18-year-old.

Alcantar was getting worried past January erstwhile Gonzalez didn’t show up for wintertime workouts.

“I person a norm if you don’t show up for practice, you don’t play,” Alcantar said.

They yet met and Gonzalez revealed he’s been excessively engaged moving arsenic a barber. And past came nan large news: He’s going to go a begetter successful July.

The Monroe High shot squad is disconnected to an 13-1 start.

(Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Times)

It’s a delicate balancing enactment betwixt work, school, shot and nan seriousness of being a genitor arsenic a teenager.

“I’ve been capable to fig scheduling small by little,” Gonzalez said. “I do sleep. Maybe 5 hours.”

Gonzalez said he worked 7 days a week arsenic a barber during nan summer. He’s been redeeming for his early while besides making judge he did not person to inquire his parents for money. He useful weekends and sometimes has to time off believe aft an hr for work.

As acold arsenic baseball, he added a slider this season, picked up immoderate velocity and tries to propulsion 3 pitches for strikes.

Against Eagle Rock, he struck retired 10 and gave up 2 hits successful a 3-1 win. Against Arleta, he struck retired 10 successful six innings during a 6-1 triumph pinch 1 walk. Against Westchester, he sewage 2 outs — some strikeouts — successful a 3-1 win. Against Vaughn, he gave up 2 hits successful six innings of a 2-0 victory..

Monroe, which utilized to beryllium a City Section powerhouse successful nan 1970s erstwhile Denny Holt was caput coach, besides has received a beardown play from inferior Luis Martinez, who has 21 hits and is batting .500.

Pitcher Miguel Gonzalez has helped Monroe to an 13-1 commencement pinch a 5-0 grounds and 0.69 ERA.

(Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Times)

He said his parents person been supportive: “They person told maine it’s a really large responsibility.”

After precocious school, he plans to spell to an occupational schoolhouse to study much astir being a barber. He’d emotion to proceed playing baseball, but that will dangle connected his improvement and his priorities. So far, his balancing enactment is keeping him levelheaded and determined.

He’s been moving since he was 5 erstwhile he helped his begetter successful landscaping. He switched to cutting hairsbreadth and loves it. His clients committedness by him.

“He’s a bully kid,” Alcantar said.