JD Gonzalez Stats & Scouting Report

Top Rankings

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Gonzalez impressed during Perfect Game’s WWBA World Championship in the fall of his senior year, but a knee injury limited his exposure in the spring. He regained his draft helium with a strong showing at the draft combine and was selected by the Padres in the third round in 2023. He signed for a below-slot $550,000 to forgo an Indiana State commitment. Gonzalez did not play in an official game after signing, but he stood out in instructional league and briefly played winter ball in Puerto Rico as an 18 year old.

Scouting Report: Gonzalez is a raw, projectable catcher with a chance to make an impact on both sides of the ball. He makes solid contact with a quick, whippy swing and flashes above-average power. He can get a little pull-happy at times, but he has the foundation to be an average hitter. Though Gonzalez is a below-average runner, he moves well behind the plate and has a chance to be an above-average defender as he improves his footwork. He has tremendous arm speed and plus-plus arm strength that has the potential to shut down running games as he fine-tunes his accuracy.

The Future: Gonzalez will make his pro debut in the Arizona Complex League in 2024. He projects to be a starting catcher but will require time and patience to fulfill his potential.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 40 | Field: 55 | Arm: 70

School: Hernandez HS, Humacao, P.R. Source: HS

Commit/Drafted: Indiana State
Age At Draft: 17.8
A Puerto Rican catcher with a lean, 6-foot, 175-pound frame, Gonzalez has high defensive upside with a huge arm from behind the plate. He showed tremendous arm speed and arm strength at Perfect Game’s National Showcase in 2022, with one of the stronger arms at the event and plus-plus future potential for the tool. He also took part in the 2023 MLB Draft Combine and showed one of the best pure arms at that event when competing against college catchers for the honor, though he could improve his throwing accuracy and sharpen up his footwork. He moves around well behind the plate and has a chance to be a plus defender at the position as well. Gonzalez also impressed offensively during the fall at Perfect Game’s WWBA World Championship in Jupiter, Fla., where he went 5-for-12 (.417). Gonzalez has some moving parts in his swing, and will get pull-happy at times, but he has shown solid contact ability and a quick, whippy swing that could produce more power as he learns to get behind the ball more consistently. Gonzalez is committed to Indiana State and is young for the class—he’ll still be 17 years old on draft day.

C J.D. Gonzalez assigned to Charleston RiverDogs.
C J.D. Gonzalez roster status changed by Tampa Bay Rays.
Tampa Bay Rays traded RHP Jason Adam to San Diego Padres for RHP Dylan Lesko, OF Homer Bush Jr. and C J.D. Gonzalez.
C J.D. Gonzalez assigned to Lake Elsinore Storm from ACL Padres.
San Diego Padres signed C J.D. Gonzalez.