Catcher/First Baseman (2001)

Jesse Gutierrez had just one season at St. Mary’s — but what a season it was for the first baseman from McAllen, Texas. Having transferred into St. Mary’s for his senior season, Gutierrez led the Rattlers to the 2001 NCAA D-II national championship, the first for the baseball program, following a magical 50-win season. His powerful bat helped him smash his way through the St. Mary’s and NCAA record books, posting single-season school records in home runs (28), RBI (97), batting average (.424), slugging percentage (.893), runs scored (83) and total bases (204). To this day, his home-run total still ranks No. 4 all-time for a single season in NCAA D-II history, while he is fifth in total bases and seventh in RBI (all NCAA high marks for the 2001 season). Gutierrez earned ABCA All-American honors and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the national tournament in 2001, while also being chosen the Heartland Conference Player of the Year and selected to the All-South Central Region Tournament Team. “Everything after that,” head coach Charlie Migl said, “is history.” Still playing professionally to this day, Gutierrez has spent the past 14 seasons in the minor and independent leagues after being drafted in the 20th round of the 2001 draft by the Cincinnati Reds, with whom he advanced to the Triple-A level. He has totaled 192 home runs and batted .295 in the minor and independent leagues.