Courtesy of Bethune-Cookman Athletic Communications


Rayan Gonzalez and Anthony Maldonado appreciate the importance of representing.

They've represented Bethune-Cookman during their Wildcat playing days and beyond in their respective journeys through baseball's minor leagues. They've also represented their native Puerto Rico as well, and the opportunity to wear national colors in the recent Caribbean Series.

Both were on the Criollos de Caguas team that won the Puerto Rican Winter League to earn the right to play in the six-nation tournament last week in Mazatian, Mexico. Puerto Rico advanced the tournament championship game, falling to the Dominican Republic representative in the finals.

Gonzalez, who played at B-CU from 2009-12 and has since been in the Colorado Rockies organization, picked up the save in the semifinal win over Mexico and gave up just one walk in five appearances.

"I always enjoy playing for my country, it's an honor," Gonzalez said. "I surrounded myself with players that have a lot of big league experience and lucky to be in a team with very talented ballplayers like Anthony Maldonado."

Maldonado, the 2018 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Pitcher of The Year while at Bethune-Cookman, has spent one year with the Miami Marlins, and like Gonzalez, had five tournament appearances, including the championship game.

Unfortunately, he gave up the big hits that allowed two Dominican Republic runs to score the go-ahead runs.

The loss didn't damper Maldonado's tournament experience.

"Being able to play with your country across your chest is a feeling I can't put into words," Maldonado said. "There's so much meaning behind every pitch and swing. The team was playing as one unit all week. I'd be honored to go back one day."

For now, both are switching back to their pro careers. Gonzalez enters 2021 as a free agent, but hopes that winter ball success will lead to better things.

"I stayed consistent with a good routine and that paid off," Gonzalez said. "Every day I feel like there's an opportunity to get better and I took advantage of that. Being with the team allowed me to stay actively pitching during a time of uncertainty with the pandemic."

Maldonado has been touted as one of the most promising prospects in the Marlins organization.

"I went into Winter Ball with very high goals and standards for myself," Maldonado said. "All in all, I'm happy with the way I pitched. I grew so much as a player in such little time. These past two months will play a big part in my career moving forward."