Texas Rangers Youth Academy teammates Ana Gonzalez and Giovanca Frias have played in multiple MLB Develops events together and have formed a friendship that is likely to last long beyond their formative years.

So when Gonzalez’s name was called out by softball legend Jennie Finch as the recipient of the Jennie Finch Empowerment Award presented by Arm & Hammer during the recent Breakthrough Series, Frias teared up, overcome with happiness for her friend.

“I get emotional, because she’s like a sister to me,” Frias said. “I was super proud of her because we came here to softball EDI and Breakthrough together since the very beginning. We’ve seen each other grow, and we’ve always been saying, ‘Man. One of us has to get it.’ So I was actually very happy for her and very proud of her.”

Gonzalez, a native of Midlothian, Texas, is the fourth and final recipient of the prestigious softball award, which is given to a young female athlete who excels as a scholar, humanitarian and athlete. All of these play into the six main characteristics of the Jennie Finch Empowerment Award: commitment, leadership, dedication, integrity, humility and motivation.

“Ana is a perfect example of just leading by example and consistently showing it day in and day out,” MLB Softball Ambassador Lauren Chamberlain said. “I think that’s a huge inspiration – ‘If I start something and stay committed to something, and I see it all the way through, maybe their senior year, they can win that award as well.' ”

Gonzalez, who will graduate from Midlothian High School in 2024, received a $10,000 scholarship, and she’ll also be recognized, along with the other winners, during a pregame ceremony at the World Series later this year.

In an interview after the presentation of the award, Finch pointed out leadership and commitment as two qualities that stood out the most when Gonzalez was selected. Finch asked Gonzalez about how she cultivated these two particular traits.

“I’ve always been outspoken. I think a bunch of it comes from my mom,” Gonzalez said. “She’s always been in multiple leadership roles, whether it’s the workplace or church. Commitment comes from the love of the game. I genuinely really, truly love it. So I have fun doing it and of course I’m going to go hard at it.”

Gonzalez has been lauded for the work she does in her community – she is a student leader at her church, and she volunteers at the Sunday school, conducting bible study with kids. Gonzalez also helps at food banks and food drives.

“The people around me, I’ve been blessed with such amazing people,” Gonzalez said. “Genuine people who love me and are important to me and I know would do anything for me. To just have that around me makes me want to give it back.”

Gonzalez said she intends to study communications and marketing in college. She’s been inspired by her experiences at MLB youth events and would like to carve a career in the sports.

She also noted how much she has grown as a player through her experiences with MLB Develops.

“The biggest thing is just mentally,” she said. “Of course there’s things to push yourself to work on, but you’re already there at that skill level. It’s really just mental. I think gaining that confidence. Having gained that confidence has helped my playing, and off the field too, tremendously.”