Matt Gonzalez is a former All-American player and the Owner of Blaze Baseball, where he leads with a clear mission: develop athletes through hard work, elite instruction, and a competitive environment that prepares them for high school, college, and beyond.

Gonzalez starred at Harrison High School, where he helped lead his team to a 2010 State Championship while earning Georgia 5A Player of the Year honors. A two-time Region Player of the Year and later named “Shortstop of the Decade” (2010–2019) by the Georgia Dugout Club, he established himself as one of the top players in the state. He also competed with the East Cobb Astros organization, earning both Hitter of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors during his tenure.

He went on to play at Georgia Tech, where he became one of the most accomplished players in program history. Gonzalez was a Freshman All-American, three-time All-ACC selection, and finished his career with 302 hits—ranking among the top totals in NCAA history. He was also recognized as Georgia’s Most Outstanding Scholar-Athlete in 2016.

Following college, Gonzalez was selected in the 6th round of the MLB Draft by the Atlanta Braves, continuing his career at the professional level.

After his playing career, Gonzalez transitioned into coaching, with experience at Harrison High School, the University of West Georgia, and Villa Rica High School, along with serving as Head of Player Development for a large travel organization. In 2023, he founded Blaze Baseball.

In his first year leading Blaze, Gonzalez helped guide nine players into college baseball while developing multiple high school contributors, including state champions. His unique path—competing locally at the high school, college, and professional levels—gives him unmatched insight into what it takes to succeed in Georgia baseball and how to prepare players for the next level.

Gonzalez credits much of his development to playing under respected coaches Mark Elkins and Danny Hall, and he brings those same standards into Blaze: accountability, toughness, and doing things the right way every day.

James Holladay brings a relentless work ethic and high-level playing experience to the Blaze Baseball program. A graduate of DeMatha Catholic High School, James was a two-year varsity starter and part of three WCAC runner-up teams, competing at one of the most competitive high school levels in the country.

He continued his career at Barton College, where he appeared in over 60 games as a catcher from 2020–2024. During his time there, James was a two-time team captain, a four-year President’s List honoree, and a representative on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), demonstrating leadership both on and off the field.

James began his coaching career working with the Alexandria Aces, where he led catching clinics focused on developing defensive fundamentals, mechanics, and game awareness in young athletes. He now serves as a coach with Blaze Baseball, where he is dedicated to developing players through structured training, attention to detail, and a competitive mindset.

Known for his intensity and “old-school” approach, James emphasizes doing the small things right, holding players accountable, and building strong relationships. As part of the Art Evans coaching tree, he brings a tough, gritty “dirtbag” mentality that pushes players to maximize their potential while fostering a culture of toughness, discipline, and respect.

Justin Evans brings elite playing experience and high-level energy to Blaze Baseball, with a background that spans high school, college, and professional baseball.

A standout at Allatoona High School, Evans was a three-year varsity player and two-time All-County selection. He earned back-to-back Second Team All-State honors and was named Region Player of the Year in 2015, leading Allatoona to its first-ever Final Four appearance.

He continued his career at Columbus State University, where he started all three seasons at shortstop while also serving as a closing pitcher. Evans earned Gold Glove honors in 2017 and was named a Platinum Glove winner in the Northwoods League. He consistently led the Peach Belt Conference in stolen bases and double plays turned, showcasing his impact on both sides of the game.

Evans was selected in the 19th round of the 2018 MLB Draft by the Miami Marlins and went on to play seven professional seasons. During his career, he logged over 100 innings in the minor leagues, won both an AA Championship and Arizona Fall League Championship in 2022, and appeared in multiple Major League Spring Training games.

He began his coaching career as the Head JV Coach at Suncoast Community High School and now serves as a Head Coach with Blaze Baseball.

Evans is committed to developing complete players through strong fundamentals, daily accountability, and a professional mindset. A product of the Art Evans coaching tree, he brings nonstop intensity and positive energy to every practice. Whether working with infielders, pitchers, or hitters, Evans pushes players to understand the game at a high level, compete with confidence, and take pride in improving every day.

Patrick Wootton brings decades of playing, coaching, and leadership experience to Blaze Baseball, along with a deep passion for developing players both on and off the field.

A native of Alabama, Wootton played at Thompson High School, where he helped lead his team to the state semifinals and earned a selection to the Alabama East-West All-Star Game. He continued his career at Auburn University as a walk-on catcher under Hall of Fame coach Hal Baird. During his time at Auburn, Wootton was part of two College World Series teams (1994, 1997), an SEC Western Division Championship team (1995), and earned Academic All-SEC honors in 1997. He also competed alongside multiple future Major League players, gaining firsthand experience in a high-level competitive environment.

Wootton’s coaching career spans over two decades and multiple states, including Alabama, Wyoming, and Georgia. He has worked with a wide range of age groups, from youth teams to high school-level travel programs, serving in both assistant and head coaching roles. He currently coaches within the Blaze Baseball organization, contributing to both 11U and 15U teams.

In addition to coaching, Wootton has been deeply involved in the local baseball community, serving as President of the Allatoona Baseball Dugout Club from 2021–2025. He has also experienced the player development journey firsthand through his son’s progression in the Cobb County baseball system.

Wootton is committed to teaching the game the right way, emphasizing fundamentals, mental approach, and character development. His goal is to help players grow not only as athletes but as individuals, using baseball as a platform to build discipline, leadership, and life skills.

Outside of baseball, Wootton recently retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force Reserves, bringing a strong foundation of leadership, discipline, and service into everything he does.

Art Evans is one of the most respected and accomplished coaches in the Georgia travel baseball landscape, with decades of experience developing elite players and building highly competitive programs.

Evans began his coaching career at Valdosta State University as a volunteer assistant, gaining early experience at the collegiate level. He went on to spend ten years with the East Cobb Astros, where he played a pivotal role in developing some of the top amateur talent in the country. He later served as Manager of the East Cobb Tigers from 2011–2014, continuing his impact on high-level player development.

Throughout his career, Evans has coached more than 10 Major League Baseball players and helped guide hundreds of athletes to college baseball opportunities. His ability to prepare players for the next level has earned him recognition across the baseball community, including being named East Cobb Baseball Coach of the Year twice.

In addition to his travel baseball success, Evans has coached at the high school level at The Walker School, working with both varsity and junior varsity programs and mentoring student-athletes on and off the field.

Now serving as a head coach with Blaze Baseball, Evans continues to build winning teams and develop high-level players. In 2025, he led his 14U team to an impressive 31-win season in his first year with the program, further solidifying his reputation as a proven leader.

Known for his passion, attention to detail, and commitment to fundamentals, Evans emphasizes both physical and mental development. His coaching philosophy centers on preparing players not just to compete, but to succeed at the highest levels of the game.

Brandon Taylor, known as “BT,” has become a key part of the Blaze Baseball program, bringing energy, experience, and a player-first approach to development across multiple age groups.

Taylor played at Brookwood High School, where he competed in a state championship game as a freshman and later helped lead his team to a region championship. He finished his high school career with an impressive .389 batting average while also competing with the East Cobb Braves on the travel circuit.

He continued his career at Emmanuel University, where he led Conference Carolinas in stolen bases in 2019. During his playing career, Taylor also gained high-level summer and professional experience, including a championship season with the Savannah Bananas and time in the Frontier League with the Lake Erie Crushers.

Taylor began his coaching career with the East Cobb Braves before becoming a full-time instructor at D-BAT, where he delivered over 2,000 lessons and developed hitters of all ages. He now serves as a coach and instructor with Blaze Baseball, working across 12U, 14U, and 16U teams.

BT brings a competitive edge to every practice and holds players to a high standard every time they step on the field. Known for being a student of the game, he is constantly learning, evolving, and applying new training methods to help players improve.

Above all, Taylor is a relationship-driven coach who values building trust with his players. He focuses on developing not just better athletes, but confident, accountable individuals who are prepared for the next level.

Nathan Volf brings a strong background in pitching, player development, and instruction to Blaze Baseball, with experience spanning high school, college, and high-level training environments.

Volf played at Abbeville Christian Academy, where he was a varsity contributor as a freshman and helped lead his team to three consecutive regional championships from 2013–2015. During his senior season, he hit .400 while leading the team in home runs and delivered a complete game performance against a top-10 team in the state.

He continued his career at Faulkner University, where he logged 75 innings with a 3.50 ERA and competed against top-ranked junior college programs. Volf was part of multiple postseason runs, including appearances in the NAIA World Series. He later finished his collegiate career at Reinhardt University, posting a 3.09 ERA and competing in the AAC Conference Tournament and NAIA World Series Regionals.

Volf began his coaching career at Wiregrass Sports Academy before becoming the Lead Instructor and Baseball Operations Manager at D-BAT West Cobb, where he developed players of all ages and skill levels. He now serves as a head coach and pitching instructor with Blaze Baseball, working across multiple teams including 12U and 14U.

Nathan is passionate about developing complete players through fundamentals, efficient mechanics, and a strong mental approach. He emphasizes teaching the “why” behind the game—helping athletes understand movement, preparation, and accountability at a deeper level.

His coaching style blends structure with positivity, holding players to high standards while creating an environment where they feel confident, supported, and motivated to improve. For Volf, development always comes first—building not only better players, but disciplined, confident individuals prepared for success both on and off the field.

Austin Brown is a rising coach within the Blaze Baseball program, bringing recent playing experience and a strong understanding of player development at the collegiate level.

Brown played college baseball at both Toccoa Falls College and USC Union from 2021–2025, competing at both the NCCAA and NJCAA levels. His experience across different competitive environments gives him a well-rounded perspective on what it takes to succeed at the next level.

Since joining Blaze Baseball in 2024, Brown has quickly established himself as a dependable and detail-oriented coach. He plays an active role in organizing practices, leading drills, and managing practice flow to ensure players are developing in a structured and competitive environment. He has also taken on responsibilities in running team practices, managing lineups, and assisting with in-game decision-making.

Brown emphasizes discipline, consistency, and attention to detail, reinforcing the standards expected within the Blaze program. His approach focuses on helping players build strong habits, improve fundamentals, and compete with confidence.

As a younger coach who recently played at the collegiate level, Brown connects well with players and brings energy and relatability to every practice, helping athletes continue to grow both on and off the field.

Baylor Akin brings a competitive, old-school approach to pitching and player development, backed by a highly successful playing career at both the high school and collegiate levels.

Akin starred at Harrison High School, where he earned Region Pitcher of the Year honors, was named First Team All-State, and set the school record for lowest single-season ERA. During his time there, he played under Blaze owner Matt Gonzalez, helping lay the foundation for his development both on and off the field.

He continued his career at Georgia Highlands College, where he developed into a reliable front-end starter. In his third year, he served as the Saturday night starter and compiled an undefeated 8–0 record on the mound. His performance earned him a commitment to Georgia College.

Akin joined the Blaze Baseball staff in 2024 as a pitching coach, where he focuses on developing pitchers who can compete, throw strikes, and control the game. His philosophy centers around attacking hitters, mixing speeds, and understanding how to pitch—not just throw.

Known for his unique left-handed style and presence on the mound, Akin brings energy, relatability, and a deep passion for teaching. He serves as a strong role model for players, emphasizing confidence, competitiveness, and mastering the fundamentals needed to succeed at higher levels.

Ethan Benedict is a former collegiate player and current Head Coach at Blaze Baseball, bringing a modern perspective on player development combined with firsthand experience competing in one of the most competitive baseball areas in the country.

Benedict played at North Cobb High School and competed within the East Cobb development system, where he hit over .300 and posted a sub-2.50 ERA during his junior and senior seasons. He also trained under Blaze owner Matt Gonzalez, gaining early exposure to high-level instruction and expectations.

He continued his career at Cayuga Community College, where he established himself as a reliable pitcher. Over two seasons, he maintained a 0.90 WHIP, averaged six strikeouts per nine innings, and was named a position captain during his sophomore year.

Benedict began his coaching career with the Acworth Warriors before joining Blaze Baseball, where he now serves as a head coach. He is committed to developing players not only into better athletes, but into disciplined, confident young men.

What separates Benedict is his relatability and understanding of today’s game. Having grown up locally in Acworth, Georgia, he understands the level of competition and what it takes to succeed in this environment. He brings a clear understanding of what college coaches are looking for and how to help players reach the next level.

At Blaze Baseball, Benedict emphasizes structure, intensity, and long-term development. He is dedicated to creating a competitive environment where players are challenged daily, supported by elite coaching, a full indoor training facility, and access to high-level field practices.

Evan Dory has been a key part of Blaze Baseball since its inaugural season, bringing a strong blend of leadership, relatability, and competitive edge to the program.

Dory played at Harrison High School, where he earned First Team All-State honors and helped lead his team to back-to-back region championships in 2018 and 2019. As a catcher, he was known for his defensive presence behind the plate and his ability to contribute offensively. During his senior season, he played under Blaze owner Matt Gonzalez and was a key contributor to a Harrison team that finished just one game short of a state championship appearance.

He continued his playing career at Gordon State College, gaining valuable experience at the collegiate level as a catcher.

Since joining Blaze, Dory has done an outstanding job leading his teams to consistently outperform expectations. He has a natural ability to connect with players while still holding them to a high standard of accountability and growth.

Dory’s coaching style emphasizes development, competitiveness, and building confidence in players. He brings energy and authenticity to every practice, helping athletes improve while creating a culture of trust, toughness, and accountability within his teams.

Brennan Boone is a dedicated coach at Blaze Baseball whose journey through the game is defined by perseverance, discipline, and a commitment to continuous development.

Boone played at Harrison High School, where he was a nationally ranked right-handed pitcher and earned recognition as a Perfect Game Preseason Underclass and All-American Honorable Mention selection in the Southeast Region. He was ranked among the top players in Georgia and nationally, showcasing his ability early in his career.

He continued his career at Oglethorpe University, where he developed into a versatile two-way player as both an outfielder and pitcher. Boone posted a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in 2023 and earned SAA Academic Honor Roll recognition seven times, demonstrating excellence both on the field and in the classroom.

Boone began his coaching career with the West Georgia Jackets before joining Blaze Baseball, where he now serves as a head coach.

His path through adversity has shaped his coaching philosophy. After overcoming challenges to earn his opportunity at the collegiate level, Boone brings a deep understanding of resilience and the importance of maximizing every opportunity. As a former two-way player, he understands the physical and mental demands of the game and emphasizes preparation, consistency, and confidence.

Boone is known for his focus on disciplined preparation, repeatable mechanics, and defensive reliability. He is committed to developing players the right way—creating an environment that challenges athletes to compete, grow, and build habits that translate to success at the next level.

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