Rafael Gonzalez
| IP | 467 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 4.953 |
| WHIP | 1.525 |
| BB/9 | 4.413 |
| SO/9 | 6.109 |
- Full name Rafael Ross Gonzalez
- Born 03/21/1986 in Bronx, NY
- Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 230 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School George Washington
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Drafted in the 4th round (108th overall) by the Cincinnati Reds in 2004 (signed for $315,000).
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Gonzalez is a wild card in this year's draft. He attended George Washington High in the Bronx before dropping out and briefly moving to the Dominican Republic last year. After watching him in a tryout, the Yankees signed him for $200,000, but the commissioner's office voided the contract after discovering Gonzalez was an American citizen and the Major League Scouting Bureau had reports on him. Gonzalez returned to George Washington for his senior year, but was declared ineligible. He played on a scout team this spring, pitching every Sunday, while working out for clubs on the side. Gonzalez is a soft-bodied player with a good delivery and easy arm action. He was inconsistent this spring, creating a split camp in the scouting community on his potential. In some outings he was in the 93-95 mph range with a power curve and above-average changeup, while in others he was in the high 80s with a fringy breaking ball.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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When it comes to pure stuff, Gonzalez had a chance to be only a notch or two behind Homer Bailey as far as Reds starters. But while Bailey has gotten better and better each year, refining his command and improving his fastball and curveball, Gonzalez has to have the Reds wondering if the light bulb will ever turn on. Gonzalez showed up out of shape again this season, which has sapped a little from his fastball--it used to sit at 92-94, touching 97 mph, but it was more consistently 88-93 in 2006. Some scouts saw him sit at 92-94, while others saw only an average fastball combined with poor command. He also has the makings of a plus curveball but lacks consistency, largely because he struggles to repeat his delivery. After three seasons, Gonzalez has yet to prove he can succeed in low Class A. If he ever dedicates himself to being a pro, works himself into shape and focuses on becoming more consistent, he could move quickly, but up to now, he's not shown the willingness to pay the price greatness requires. Gonzalez will pitch this season as a 21-year-old, so a return to low Class A shouldn't stunt his development. -
Gonzalez signed with the Yankees out of the Dominican Republic in 2003, but that deal was voided because he was a U.S. citizen who had played at Manhattan's George Washington High before moving to the Dominican as a junior. After signing for $315,000 as a fourth-round pick in 2004, he disappointed the Reds by showing up out of shape for spring training, leaving him unprepared to handle low Class A. His stuff is just a tick behind Homer Bailey's for the best in the system. Gonzalez throws 92-94 mph and peaks at 97, and he also shows a plus curveball and an average changeup at times. Gonzalez has a soft, thick lower half and struggles to keep his weight under control. His stamina and stuff suffered in 2005 until he dedicated more time to cardiovascular work. His secondary pitches and control are very inconsistent. The Reds hope Gonzalez learned his lesson and will be better equipped to succeed in low Class A in 2006. He flashes top-of-the- rotation stuff but must dedicate himself to realize his potential. -
Gonzalez drew scouts to George Washington High in the Bronx--Manny Ramirez' alma mater--before moving to the Dominican Republic, his parents' homeland, in 2003. The Yankees signed him for $200,000 after a tryout, but the commissioner's office voided the contract after discovering Gonzalez was an American citizen subject to the draft. He returned to New York but was ineligible for his senior season, pitching instead on a scout team once a week. His body, once long and lean, got out of shape, leaving his stuff and velocity in flux. The Reds took a chance on him and signed him for $315,000. As his conditioning improved, Gonzalez showed better velocity in the Gulf Coast League, touching 96 mph. He has a loose arm and is a power pitcher, throwing an inconsistent but at times nasty splitter. His knuckle- curve will have to improve for Gonzalez to remain a starter. His raw arm strength rates near the top in the organization, and the Reds are eager to see how it plays in low Class A this year.
