Prospect Tip: Gio Gonzalez

by John Sickels on Apr 14, 2005 10:47 PM EDT in News

This isn't a super-hot prospect tip for many of you, but I want to point out what White Sox prospect Gio Gonzalez has done in his first two starts for Kannapolis in the Sally League:

11 innings, 4 hits, 0 runs, 19 strikeouts, 2 walks.

Gonzalez was a supplemental first-round pick by the White Sox last June, which is why those of you who follow the draft likely know about him. But not everyone visiting here follows the draft or the lowest level of the minor leagues that closely, so I want to get this guy's name out there for their benefit.

Gonzalez is a lefty who can hit 93-94 MPH (though he's usually 2-4 MPH below that). He has a great curveball and an improving changeup, and his command is excellent. As a 19-year-old pitcher he carries risk, but the upside here is quite impressive. I think he will make short work of A-ball this year, and he's already a sound investment in the right fantasy league setting.

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Gio

Yea he has been very impressive, he pitched against another good young arm in Jason Vargas last night I believe and got the win

http://maverickball.com

by Maverick @ Minor League Ball on Apr 14, 2005 11:37 PM EDT reply actions

Tom Gorzelanny?

Since there's no message board, I'll ask this here: Where's Tom Gorzelanny? I can't find him listed on any of the team stats for the Pirates clubs. Is he injured? Extended spring for some reason? Anyone?

by ajw on Apr 14, 2005 11:42 PM EDT reply actions

ij

Injured, I think. Will try to find out.

by John Sickels on Apr 15, 2005 1:42 AM EDT up reply actions

Gorzelanny

Gorzelanny is indeed injured. (I don't remember where I read this, otherwise, I'd cite to it)

I do recall that there was talk that surgery was an option, but that they'd subsequently decided to go the rest and rehab route, just like Adam Miller.

Personally, I think Gorzelanny has the highest upside of pitchers in the Pirates system--higher than Duke's.

Medea's Child

by medeas child on Apr 15, 2005 7:00 AM EDT up reply actions

Darn it.

Any details on his injury? This is the first I've heard of it...

by ajw on Apr 15, 2005 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Not sure

I thought I read "strained forearm" or elbow. Pretty sure it wasn't the shoulder.

Medea's Child

by medeas child on Apr 16, 2005 7:33 AM EDT up reply actions

note

Note that the diaries can be used like a message board and often are.

by John Sickels on Apr 15, 2005 1:43 AM EDT up reply actions

Message Boards v. Diaries

John, I know that people post lots of comments to your diaries, but I think you'd get a lot more traffic and many more comments if there was a stable message board. My question about Gorzelanny has nothing to do with Gio Gonzalez, but I posted it anyway. Other people probably have comments and questions about other players/teams/issues but they don't fit into the other diaries on the site.

I won't mention it again, but I'm just trying to help you make your site even better than it is already. Users love message boards and I think adding one to your site would be a great idea.

AJW.

by ajw on Apr 15, 2005 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Thank God he's got a crazy mother...

...otherwise he would have been a first round pick, and the Sox would have missed out on him.

During the draft, the Sox left their mike on too long, and you could hear and unidentified voice say "he could start in Kanny right now." The Sox knew they stole a good one. They've taken a little more conservative approach with him, but there's no need to rush him right now, still not even a year out of HS.

MLB had videos up for a lot of the draft picks when the draft happened. I Gio's video you could see that he's got one helluva curveball. It may be the best in the Sox system.

Cheat's ChiSox Blog

by The Cheat on Apr 15, 2005 1:13 AM EDT reply actions

Sally League

Isn't the Sally League a pretty severe pitcher's league? I noticed that they have several teams with ERA's below 2.

Anyway, here's another hot tip. Jonathan Sanchez, also a lefty with a reported low to mid 90's fastball has gone 11 2/3 IP for Augusta with just 3 hits, 0 runs, 0 BB's and 10 K's. He pitched 5 perfect innings in his first start.

by DrBGiantsfan on Apr 15, 2005 2:19 AM EDT reply actions

another guy

Another pitcher who's off to a really hot start is Brian Bannister.
2-0 11 IP 5 H 2 BB 15 K 0.00 ERA
Going into the season to me he was only mildly interesting prospect, but this is pretty impressive in AA ball.

by eastin on Apr 15, 2005 8:14 AM EDT reply actions