Sandra Day O'Connor's Nolan Gorman named MaxPreps national Player of the Year

Richard Obert | The Republic | azcentral.com

Nolan Gorman, already on his way to a pro baseball career in the St. Louis Cardinals organization, was recognized Tuesday by MaxPreps with the ultimate high school baseball prize.

The former Phoenix Sandra Day O'Connor third baseman was named National High School Baseball Player of the Year by the national publication.

Gorman, taken No. 19 overall in the MLB draft last month, signed for $3 million and is playing for the Cardinals' rookie team.

He also was named USA Today first-team All-American, along with former Glendale Mountain Ridge left-hander Matthew Liberatore, who was the 16th overall selection of the MLB draft by the Tampa Bay Rays. Liberatore also signed his pro contract for more than $3 million.

Newlywed game with MLB draft prospects Nolan Gorman and Matt Liberatore Newly wed game with Nolan Gorman and Matt Liberatore

Liberatore was named azcentral sports' Player of the Year, while Gorman was among the final three for the award that was announced last month during the Sports Awards Show in Tempe.

Gorman, 6-foot-1, 210 pounds, who bats left-handed, hit .421 with 10 home runs and 32 RBIs to go with 46 walks in his final high school season.

Sandra Day O'Connor defeated Mountain Ridge for the 6A state baseball championship in May.

REALTED: Best friends Matthew Liberatore, Nolan Gorman sign MLB contracts

To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him at twitter.com/azc_obert.