Nolan Fontana

Nolan Fontana

Fontana at spring training in 2015
Houston Astros – No. 76
Shortstop
Born: (1991-06-06) June 6, 1991
Richardson, Texas
Bats: Left Throws: Right

Nolan David Fontana (born June 6, 1991) is an American professional baseball player. A shortstop, Fontana plays in Minor League Baseball. He is a member of the Houston Astros organization. Before he began his professional career, he attended the University of Florida, and played college baseball for the Florida Gators.

Early life

Fontana was born in Richardson, Texas,[1] but was raised in Winter Garden, Florida.[2] He played Little League Baseball in Pine Hills, Florida. As a nine-year-old playing in the 12-and-under division, he did not strikeout once until the final game of the year.[3]

Fontana attended West Orange High School in Winter Garden. In 2008, he played in a regional final despite having mononucleosis.[3]

Amateur career

Fontana enrolled at the University of Florida, where he played for the Florida Gators baseball team in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division I. As a freshman, he had a .287 batting average, and committed only four errors. He won a Gold Glove Award for his defensive play, and was named a Freshman All-American.[2] Fontana played for the United States national collegiate baseball team in the summer of 2010. Fontana and Gators teammate Brian Johnson were the only two freshmen on the team.[3][4]

In 2011, Fontana was a semifinalist for the Brooks Wallace Award as the nation's top shortstop.[2][5] He had a .289 batting average for the Gators, who were the runners-up in the 2011 College World Series (CWS). He was named to the SEC Tournament's All-Tournament team, and to the SEC All-Defensive team for his second consecutive year. Fontana was named a preseason All-American before the 2012 season.[2] In his junior year at Florida, he compiled a .284 batting average, a .406 on-base percentage, nine home runs, ten doubles, and 30 runs batted in, as the Gators reached the 2012 CWS.[1]

Professional career

Fontana playing for the Fresno Grizzlies, triple-A affiliates of the Astros, in 2015

The Houston Astros selected Fontana in the second round, with the 61st overall selection, of the 2012 MLB Draft. He received a $875,000 signing bonus from the Astros, and reported to the Lexington Legends of the Class A South Atlantic League.[1][6] He reached base six times in his professional debut.[7] Though he only batted .225, he drew 65 walks in 49 games played, leading to a .464 on-base percentage.[8]

In 2013, the Astros invited him to spring training.[8] He spent the 2013 season with the Lancaster JetHawks of the Class A-Advanced California League, where he had more walks (102) than strikeouts (100) in 104 games played. After the season, he played in the Arizona Fall League.[9] He opened the 2014 season with the Corpus Christi Hooks of the Class AA Texas League.[10]

The Astros again invited Fontana to spring training in 2015.[11] He played for the Fresno Grizzlies of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League in 2015.[12] After the 2015 season, the Astros added Fontana to their 40-man roster, protecting him from being eligible in the Rule 5 draft.[13]

Personal

Fontana is the grandson of Lew Burdette, who was a Major League Baseball pitcher and All-Star.[3] Burdette lived with the Fontana family for the later years of his life.[1]

Fontana's parents, who are fans of the Texas Rangers, named their son after Nolan Ryan.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 McTaggert, Brian (June 26, 2012). "Astros seal deal with second-round pick Fontana | astros.com: News". Houston.astros.mlb.com. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Harvin, Jim. "Fontana assumes leadership role for UF baseball". Gainesville.com. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Fowler, Jeremy (May 20, 2010). "Gators star Nolan Fontana paying tribute to his late grandfather, former pitcher Lew Burdette". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
  4. ↑ "2010 Team USA Baseball Roster". Web.usabaseball.com. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
  5. ↑ George, Rachel (June 12, 2011). "Nolan Fontana: Florida SS Nolan Fontana named semifinalist for Brooks Wallace Award". Orlando Sentinel, Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Ultimate Astros » It’s Class A all the way for new Astro Fontana (w/video)". Blog.chron.com. June 26, 2012. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
  7. ↑ Marshall, Ashley (July 6, 2012). "Fontana reaches six times in debut | MiLB.com News | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
  8. 1 2 "Astros' top Minors players join big league camp | astros.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. February 26, 2013. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
  9. ↑ Seiner, Jake (October 30, 2013). "Romero plates four in Javelinas' win | MiLB.com News | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Hooks 2014 preview: Player bios". CCCT. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Carlos Correa, Mark Appel invited to Astros major league camp". Ultimate Astros. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  12. ↑ http://www.fresnobee.com/2015/04/08/4468247/fresno-grizzlies-opening-night.html
  13. ↑ http://m.astros.mlb.com/news/article/157781136/astros-add-seven-minor-leaguers-to-roster

External links

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