Carlos Gonzalez, OF Oakland Athletics

by barlow078 on Aug 2, 2008 10:48 AM EDT

We all know he came over from Arizona as the prized prospect in the Dan Haren trade.

In the 2007 handbook he was rated by Baseball America as the Diamondbacks #3 organizational prospect (behind Upton and Young).

In the 2008 handbook he was rated by Baseball America as Arizona's #1 organizational prospect due to the graduations of Upton and Young.

On Rotowire's July Top 100 Update, John has him rated as the #7 prospect overall.

Currently at Oakland, he's hitting .270 with 3 HR,19 RBI,11BB,45K in 196 AB.

Should he still be considered a top OF prospect with great upside or has his stock fallen?

1 recs | Comment 11 comments

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Carlos

is just 22 years old and already starting in CF for the A’s. His stats aren’t eye popping, but he’s hitting loads of doubles that with time will likely turn into long balls. I’d say he’s holding his own pretty well considering he only had something like 45 AB’s above AA ball prior to this season. The “phenom” himself, Jacoby Ellsbury, is 2 years older and is being outperformed by Carlos, and thats in a much better hitters park with a much better lineup around him. No offense to Ellsbury, who I think will be a fine player eventually, but lets give Gonzalez a couple more seasons to see what he develops into. I think he’s going to be a special player, and likely in the near future.

by JPShark on Aug 2, 2008 1:08 PM EDT 0 recs

+1 on the breakdown

I can’t agree with C-Gon outperforming Ells though. They are different kind of players and Ellsbury’s speed is a HUGE advantage for him.

Mike Newman
baseballhandyman.blogspot.com

by Baseball Handyman on Aug 2, 2008 10:06 PM EDT up 0 recs

Well...

I think the original commenter had it right on the Ellsbury comp. You can have Ellsbury’s speed. Gonzalez has enough speed to do fine in CF for now, he’s younger, and his ceiling as a hitter is much higher than Ellsbury’s.

by aap212 on Aug 3, 2008 10:13 PM EDT up 0 recs

Offensive stock maybe down a little

Defensive stock is way up at this point. He’s played like a true CF with a RF arm. The defensive stats I’ve seen like him too.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Aug 2, 2008 5:15 PM EDT 0 recs

young

as has been pointed out, I think the rumors of his downfall are vastly premature. Its usually someone elses job on here to scream the death of prospects way too early when they don’t storm in ala Jay Bruce et al:)
Gonzalez is doing quite well in his first go round at the majors I would say, especially considering the fact that he has 199 CAREER AAA ab’s.
He does have 18 doubles in roughly that many ML ab’s, so there certainly is potential growth in the HR dept.
I’ve been impressed w him thus far; I thought the A’s rushed him a little.
Spread those numbers out to 500 ABs and you have .270, 15 HR, 15 SB, 45 2B. Not bad for a RC year CF.

The Giants need to sign Harry Doyle.

by jrose643 on Aug 2, 2008 5:55 PM EDT 0 recs

oops, I need a calculator.

8 HR, 8 SB, 45 2B. But I did get the average right!
Still not too bad for a 22 yo CF RC.

The Giants need to sign Harry Doyle.

by jrose643 on Aug 2, 2008 5:56 PM EDT up 0 recs

Too many at bats

to be considered a prospect ;-)

"My mom always taught me it's better to laugh at yourself than to laugh at others. She was so wrong. ;)" -Pedrophile

by Boxkutter on Aug 2, 2008 9:12 PM EDT 0 recs

Don't forget

he gets a web gem at least once a week.

by nyy601 on Aug 2, 2008 10:06 PM EDT 0 recs

His plate discipline

Has been much better after the all-star break (so far). I think he’ll add weight and power and move over to RF in a year or two. He’s similar to Jermaine Dye except a lefty I think which is very good.

RIVER CATS: AAA CHAMPS!

by niallmack on Aug 4, 2008 2:29 PM EDT 0 recs

I think the Carlos Beltran comparisons are a lot more apt

Similar skill sets, similar body types and batting stances. Gonzalez might not reach the home run power numbers or walk numbers of Beltran, but I think “poor man’s Beltran” is a pretty good way to go.

by thejd44 on Aug 4, 2008 4:05 PM EDT up 0 recs