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Stephen Gonsalves Pospect Video (via Steve Fiorindo)
Stephen Gonsalves, P, San Marcos, CA
High School Senior
Bats/Throws: Left/Left
HT/WT: 6'5"/205
Birthdate: 7/8/94 Age at Draft: 19.05
A high school pitcher from San Marcos, California, Gonsalves is a big, lanky guy. He has a really long neck and looks taller than his listed 6'5". His body type is near ideal for a pitcher. He is long and loose and his body allows him to generate velocity as easily as anyone in the draft. He is smooth. He started to throw with an old school delivery, throwing his arms back to begin his wind up, toward the end of last summer. I love it. It suits his arm slot well.
He sat mostly in the 88-92 range last summer, but can reach back and hit 94, so that next velocity level could be in there more consistently as he matures. His projectable body makes you hope that it will be. His fastball command is very good and he has good poise on the mound. I think he will do well in college or the low minors quickly because of his poise.
The secondary pitches lag behind though. His breaking ball has a hard break when it's on but it is inconsistent. While it has the potential to be a plus offering, it isn't there yet. He will throw a few changeups that flash plus, especially with the new delivery. The arm slot and the arm speed were the same as the fastball and had hitters fooled last summer.
Gonzalves has a fastball that could be a plus pitch. The breaking ball and change could develop as plus pitches as well. A tall, projectable lefty with 3 potential plus pitches should go early. While none of those things are guarantees, someone will like him enough to take him in the 1st round unless injury strikes or he has excessively high bonus demands. If he heads to college, he's committed to the University of San Diego.
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