Orioles Sign…Brian Gonzalez – LHP

	Born: 10/25/1995	Age: 18
	Height: 6’3″	Weight: 230 lbs
	Bats/Throws: R/L	HS: Archbishop McCarthy (FL)
	Drafted: 3rd Round, 2014	Signing Bonus: $700,000
	And with the first pick of the 2014 draft the Orioles drafted a first baseman who moonlights as a pitcher. Joking aside, it was a bit strange to see the O’s draft someone listed as a first baseman by Baseball America. But, I trust the eyes of our scouts over a well-informed, well-intentioned but not necessarily accurate magazine and with good reason. Gonzalez is a burly high school lefty with an advanced feel for pitching and a quality changeup. He signed rather quickly and is ready to show us what he can do in the GCL this Summer.

Scouting Report

Primer: (20 = Terrible, 30 = Well Below Average, 40 = Mediocre, 45 = Slightly Below Average, 50 = Major League Average, 55 = Flashes Above Average, 60 = Above Average, 65 = Flashes Plus, 70 = Plus, 80 = Plus-Plus/Elite)

• Fastball: 40/50 – Not much projection in terms of velocity; sits upper 80’s, topping out in low 90’s with average life; A potential average MLB fastball
• Slider: 35/55 – Mediocre offering by pro standards at the moment but throws it for strikes and could develop into average offering with time.
• Changeup: 45/65 – Mid 70’s; Shows good feel for spotting the pitch and it flashes good depth and fade; a potential plus offering with continued refinement.
• Command: 45/65 – Advanced feel for pitches leads me to think he can develop above average, possibly plus command.
• Control: 50/70 – Controls the strike zone well with his three pitches; Should post above average walk per nine rates as he develops his craft.

Overall outlook: Gonzalez looks like a solid value to me for the Orioles in the 3rd round. He’s actually quite polished as far as high school pitchers go and should be ready to make the jump right into full season ball with Delmarva next year. For now, he will pitch in the GCL this Summer although I wouldn’t rule out a few appearances with the Ironbirds too. I like that he has an advanced changeup, a starter’s build, and good command. We’ll see how whether his breaking ball develops and whether he adds a tick or two to his fastball. Gonzalez may see more scrutiny than the typical 3rd round pick due to his status as the Orioles first pick of the draft. Those expecting him to develop into a blue chip prospect may be disappointed. However, Gonzalez is still a solid prospect who likely rates among the top 20 in the system and projects as a workhorse number four starter if everything breaks right.

 

Here is an audio interview courtesy of Brett Hollander with Gonzalez. Gonzalez mentions working on “leaning out” and building muscle onto his burly frame as something he wants to work on. He also describes himself as a “command guy” who likes to spot up with his fastball and mentions Cole Hamels and Johan Santana as pitchers he’d like to emulate. Good answers.

Prospect Comparison: This comparison may not be much help unless you are familiar with Reds prospects but David Holmberg is the one name that keeps popping into my head as a similar pitcher. Holmberg was drafted in the 2nd round out of high school and like Gonzalez is a 6’2, 225 pound lefty with advanced command of an average fastball and above average changeup. He made his MLB debut last year with the Diamondbacks and still projects as a back of the rotation starter.

Statistics (Archbishop McCarthy HS) – Fun Fact: Gonzalez threw back-to-back no hitters this season. Kid knows how to pitch.

Year	Age	Class	ERA	G	GS	IP	H	HR	BB	K	AVG	WHIP	BB/9	K/9
2014	18	Senior	0.50	17	10	69.1	—	—-	—-	129	——	——–	——-	—–