LAKE ERIE CRUSHERS News & Game Recaps

The Lake Erie Crushers welcome hitting coach, Jerry Gonzalez & pitching coach, Jonathan Albaladejo to the team!

Jerry Gonzalez

Jerry Gonzalez was Born on October 30, 1985 in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. He was a professional baseball player that was signed out of Saint Leo University in Florida where he was a first team All-American Shortstop and broke 7 Saint Leo University hitting records.

Gonzalez was signed by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the 2007 MLB Draft. In 2007, he was a member of the MiLB Champions Orem Owlz in which he finished the season 2nd in Team Hitting with a .325 batting average.

Gonzalez was in MLB Spring Training Camp with the Angels in 2008 getting his first hit off the Cubs RHP Kerry Wood.  In addition to affiliated ball with the Angels, he has also played in the American Association and Pacific Association.  Gonzalez has also played winter ball with the Mayaguez Indios of the Roberto Clemente Puerto Rico Professional League.

In 2012, Gonzalez took time away from playing to coach High School baseball as Assistant Manager and hitting coach at Plant City High School. He then finished off the year coaching collegiate baseball at Florida Christian College (FCC) in Orlando, Florida. He spent the 2023 season with the Empire Greys of the Frontier League. He is a strong hitting instructor and mentor to many Major League players today. 

Jonathan Albaladejo

Jonathan Albaladejo was also born in Puerto Rico on October 30, 1982.  Albaladejo was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the 34th round (1,021st overall) of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft, but did not sign. In the following year he was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 19th round (564th overall), and signed on June 6, 2001. 

He spent a number of years in the minors in the Pirates system as a starting pitcher, and in 2005 was converted to a reliever. After being signed by the Washington Nationals in 2007, Albaladejo made his Major League debut in September of that year against the Florida Marlins in the top of the third inning. Following the season, he was traded to the New York Yankees. He pitched professionally in Japan in 2011 but returned to the big leagues in 2012 with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

He retired as a player following the 2019 season and has since coached for Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League, the Tupper Lake Riverpigs of the independent Empire Baseball League, and The Empire State Greys of the Frontier League.

The Crushers are excited to have Jerry & Jonathan on the team this season! Be sure to catch the Crushers home opener on Friday, May 10th 2024 at 7:05pm & stick around after the game for fireworks!