Matt Gonzalez is a former high school and college All-American who now serves as the Owner of Blaze Baseball, where his mission is simple: develop players through hard work, elite coaching, and competitive practices that translate directly to high school baseball and beyond.

In his first year leading Blaze Baseball, Gonzalez helped guide nine athletes into college baseball, while building a roster filled with major contributors at the high school level — including multiple state champions.

What separates Gonzalez is his rare and valuable playing path. He competed locally at the high school level, played for the local college program, and advanced into the local professional baseball system. That experience gives him a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed in this area and how to prepare athletes for what coaches truly demand at the next level.

Gonzalez credits his ability to coach and develop players to the privilege of playing for legendary head coaches Mark Elkins at Harrison High School and Danny Hall at Georgia Tech.

Justin Evans is committed to developing elite players through strong fundamentals, daily accountability, and a professional mindset. With experience coaching and competing at the high school, college, and professional levels, he brings a high standard of preparation and teaches athletes how to truly understand the game — not just rely on talent.

Justin, a product of the Art Evans coaching tree, brings nonstop intensity and extremely positive energy to everything he does. Whether he’s working pitching mechanics, infield fundamentals, or developing a winning mental approach, Justin pushes players to reach their highest level and take pride in improving every day.

James brings an intense tenacity to every practice. He has a passion for doing the small things the right way, with an old-school mentality and a high standard of accountability. James consistently gets the best out of players while building strong relationships with them 

As a former two-time captain of his college team and another member of the Art Evans coaching tree, James brings incredible leadership and a true “dirt bag” mentality that rubs off on every player and coach he interacts with.

Patrick Wootton is an assistant coach for Blaze Baseball.  He has been blessed to be a member of numerous championship baseball teams from high school through his college career.  He had the opportunity to play for the winningest coach at Auburn University, Hall of Famer Coach Hal Baird.  During his time at Auburn, Patrick played alongside seven future Major Leage players and maintains friendships with multiple Division-1 College baseball coaches.  He has coached a variety of age groups and teams across the country.  Additionally, he has witnessed the baseball progression of his son through youth, travel, and high school baseball in the Cobb County environment.  Patrick was the Allatoona Baseball Dugout Club President from 2021 – 2025.

Patrick has a desire to teach his players to play the game correctly and assist with their mental approach as they grow in their development.  Having been associated with great teams and great teammates, he wants to ensure that the game of baseball improves his players beyond their participation on the diamond.  Patrick recently retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force Reserves.

Art Evans is a highly respected and accomplished baseball coach with a proven track record of developing elite talent at every level of the game.

With over a decade of coaching experience, Art spent ten years with the East Cobb Astros, where he played a key role in shaping some of the nation’s top amateur players. He later served as the Manager of the East Cobb Tigers for four years, continuing his commitment to player development and competitive excellence.

Art has also contributed at the collegiate level as a Volunteer Assistant Coach at Valdosta State University, gaining valuable experience working with high-level athletes and collegiate programs. At the high school level, he served as a Varsity and JV Coach at The Walker School, mentoring student-athletes both on and off the field.

Throughout his career, Art has coached over 10 Major League Baseball players and helped guide hundreds of athletes to college baseball scholarships, earning a reputation as a coach who prepares players for the next level.

His impact has been recognized by the baseball community, having been voted East Cobb Baseball Coach of the Year twice.

In 2025, Art took on the role of head coach for Blaze Baseball 14U, leading the team to an impressive 31-win season in his first year, further solidifying his reputation as a winning coach and leader.

Art is known for his passion for the game, commitment to fundamentals, and ability to develop players both athletically and mentally, making him a trusted mentor and respected figure in the baseball world.

Brandon Taylor (“BT”) has been a staple of Blaze Baseball for the past several years. Being involved with as many teams as possible, he enjoys running practices and watching players develop into high school–ready baseball players.

BT brings a competitive fire to the field every day and expects a high standard from anyone who puts on a Blaze jersey. He is extremely knowledgeable while also being a true student of the game—constantly learning, adapting, and applying new and improved methods to Blaze Baseball.

BT is a relationship-driven coach who values getting to know his players both on and off the field, creating trust, accountability, and long-term development.

Nathan has a strong passion for player development, fundamentals, and helping athletes reach their full potential both on and off the field. His background in the game has taught him that success in baseball comes from a combination of proper mechanics, mental toughness, discipline, and consistent work habits.

As a coach, Nathan focuses on teaching the why behind the game—why we move a certain way, why preparation matters, and why accountability is essential. He emphasizes sound fundamentals, efficient mechanics, and situational awareness while tailoring instruction to each athlete’s age, skill level, and goals.

Nathan’s coaching style balances structure with positivity. He believes in holding players to high standards while creating an environment where they feel confident, supported, and motivated to improve. Development is always the priority—wins matter, but long-term growth, love for the game, and character matter more.

Above all, Nathan’s goal is to help players build confidence, compete the right way, and develop skills that translate not only to baseball, but to life.

Baylor joined the Blaze coaching staff in 2024 as a pitching coach. He understands the value of throwing strikes and built his career around exactly that. Baylor broke records at Harrison High School for ERA before going on to lead Georgia Highlands with an 8–0 record on the mound.

Baylor is a breath of fresh air, bringing an old-school approach to winning ballgames—not by throwing the hardest, but by competing, mixing speeds, and attacking hitters. He is a tremendous role model for players, combining a funky left-handed personality with a deep knowledge of the game and a true passion for teaching.

Ethan Benedict is a former college baseball player who is currently a head coach at Blaze Baseball. His goal is to develop players not only into better baseball players but into greater young men.

What separates Benedict is that he is younger, and he grew up in Acworth, Ga, playing against the best baseball GA has to offer. He understands the current generation of baseball and what it takes to get to the next level, and what college coaches are looking for in a young, developing player.

Blaze Baseball was built for players who want more — more structure, more intensity, more development, and more competition. With the strongest coaching staff in the area, a fully equipped indoor facility for Blaze players, and access to on-field practices at LakePoint Sports Complex, Blaze offers a complete environment for athletes serious about long-term success.

Dory has been with Blaze since its inaugural season in 2023 and has done a phenomenal job coaching his teams to consistently overperform. He has a unique ability to connect with players while also demanding accountability and growth.

Dory played under Matt Gonzalez in 2019, where he was an exceptional defensive catcher with strong offensive ability as well. He was a key contributor to the 2019 Harrison baseball team that finished just one game short of a state championship appearance. That same year, Dory earned All-State honors, highlighting his impact both defensively and offensively.

Brennan Boone is a former high school and college player who currently serves as the Head Coach at Blaze Baseball. His playing and coaching background is defined by perseverance, discipline, and a commitment to continuous development, with a strong emphasis on confidence, consistency and competitive preparation.

After facing adversity in his playing career, Brennan battled through setbacks and adversity to earn a spot on the roster at Oglethorpe University. That experience shaped his approach to the game and fuels his passion for helping players navigate challenges, stay resilient, and maximize their opportunities.

As a former pitcher and two-way collegiate player, Brennan understands the physical and mental demands of the game. During his playing career, he established himself as a high-level defensive outfielder, recognized for defensive consistency and reliability, qualities he now emphasizes when developing position players. His coaching philosophy centers on disciplined preparation, repeatable mechanics, and building confidence through consistent work. He is committed to developing players the right way and creating an environment that challenges athletes to grow, compete, and build habits that translate to success at higher levels of the game.