Paul Goldschmidt named 2014 Graduate of the Year

Some people call him “Goldy” and with the numbers that Paul Goldschmidt has been putting up, it would be hard to argue that he has been anything less than golden. With consistent play and a humble everyday “Joe” quality towards the fans, he is quickly becoming the face of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Goldschmidt had a career year in 2013, a season in which he was nominated to the National League All Star team. Goldschmidt finished his 2013 MLB campaign with 182 hits, 36 doubles, 3 triples, 36 home runs, 125 RBI’s, 15 SB, and 99 BB.

In addition, he won the Rawlings Gold Glove award, the Silver Slugger award, the National League Hank Aaron Award, NL RBI Leader, and was the National League co-Home Run Leader.

There are approximately 100 active Major League Baseball players with ties to National Baseball Congress affiliated teams. Voters for the Graduate of the Year compared and evaluated the 2013 MLB campaigns of the top 10 active players. Paul Goldschmidt clearly stood out to voters and is being recognized for his play through his overwhelming selection as the 2014 NBC Graduate of the Year.

Prior to his career in the big leagues, Goldschmidt attended Texas State University. While there, he was the Southland Conference hitter of the year in both 2008 and 2009. In 2009, he led all Division 1 players when he hit 87 RBI’s.

In 2008, Paul Goldschmidt played with the Anchorage Bues of the Alaska Baseball League. He finished the season with a .330 average, 3 homers, 28 RBI’s, 60 hits, 92 total bases, 20 doubles, and a slugging percentage of .505. Shawn Malty, the General Manager of the Bucs states, “We are honored to have him be selected as the Graduate of the Year as a representative of the Anchorage Bucs.”

Despite his success at the college level, Goldschmidt was not drafted until the eighth round of the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft with the 246th overall pick. The Arizona Diamondbacks assigned him to the Missoula Osprey where he hit .334 with 18 home runs and 62 RBI in his first half season of professional ball.

After much success with the Osprey, Paul was assigned to th Visalia Rawhide. While there, he was named the Californ League MVP and Rookie of the Year after batting .314 with 1 hits, 35 home runs, 108 RBI’s, and scored 102 runs.

In 2011, he was elevated to the Double A – Southern League where he suited up for the Mobile BayBears. Paul hit .306 with 112 hits, 84 runs, 30 home runs and 94 RBls. His consistent play at all of these stops culminated in his call to the Majors where he made his debut on August 1, 2011 and collected his first hit that day. Paul hit his first home run the next day versus San Francisco Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum, who coincidentally was honored as the 2009 National Baseball Congress Graduate of the Year. Paul played a total of 48 games in 2011. His total stats for 2011 were 39 hits including nine doubles, 1 triple, and 8 home runs.

Paul’s stats in 2012, his first full season, were impressive in their own right. He played 145 games and had 147 hits including 43 doubles, 1 triple, and 20 home runs. It was becoming clear that Paul was destined to make an impact on Major League Baseball. In 2013, Paul and the Arizona Diamondbacks agreed to a five-year contract extension worth $32 million with a club option of $14.5 million in 2018 in order to prevent the other clubs from making a gold rush.

National Baseball Congress teams have played host to hundreds of top tier Major League talent. The Graduate of the Award has been given out since 1975 and past award recipients include Tony Gwynn, Joe Carter, Dave Winfield, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Albert Pujols, and Alex Gordon. We are now pleased to include Paul Goldschmidt in this prestigious club.

Congratulations again to Paul Goldschmidt, the 2014 NBC Graduate of the Year!