MESA, Ariz. -- Former NM State baseball players Nick Gonzales and Brock Whittlesey will open play Wednesday at the Arizona Fall League.

Gonzales will suit up for the Peoria Javelinas while Whittlesey will play for the Mesa Solar Sox. Gonzales and the Javelinas open their 30-game season at 1:35 p.m. (MT) against the Salt River Rafters while Whittlesey and the Solar Sox open at 1:35 p.m. (MT) against the Surprise Saguaros.

One of the best offensive prospects in baseball, Gonzales finished his first season of professional baseball hitting .302 with 18 homers and 54 RBIs in just 80 games. The infielder had 45 extra-base hits in 369 plate appearances and had a BABIP (batting average on balls in play) of .388.

The former first round pick and MVP of the prestigious Cape Cod League, was named MiLB High-A August Player of the Month, after batting .364 in August with 10 homers, 10 doubles and 28 RBIs. Gonzales had 39 hits in 24 games. Gonzales was also tabbed as the Pirates best offensive prospect during the 2021 season.  

Pitching in his first professional season, Whittlesey recorded an impressive 5-2 record this season in 41 games. Whittlesey pitched to a 3.65 ERA over his 56.2 innings of work striking out 62 batters. The righty allowed just 11 walks as batters hit just .234 against him.

NM State's all-time leader in saves, Whittlesey signed with the Oakland A's back in June of 2019 and has pitched to a career ERA of 3.93 in 59 appearances. Whittlesey is 10-5 all-time and has 91 career strikeouts over his 84.2 innings pitched.

The complete schedule and more information regarding the Arizona Fall League can be found here. Key dates include the Fall Stars Game on Nov. 13 and the Championship Game one week later on Nov. 20.