Pedro Gonzalez Stats & Scouting Report

AB	2000
AVG	.238
OBP	.306
SLG	.415
HR	64

Full name Pedro Jose Gonzalez
Born 10/27/1997 in Santo Domingo Centro, Dominican Republic
Profile Ht.: 6'5" / Wt.: 190 / Bats: R / Throws: R

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Gonzalez was one of the top international shortstop prospects in 2015, when he signed with the Rockies for $1.3 million. After signing, Gonzalez kept growing, to the point where the Rockies pushed him out to center field. Gonzalez was hitting well in the Rookie-level Pioneer League last year when the Rangers acquired him on Aug. 23 as the player to be named later, completing the trade deadline deal for Jonathan Lucroy. Gonzalez is a smart player with good hitting actions, but it has and will continue to take time for him keep his long arms in sync and on time with his swing. He did a better job with his timing and getting into a better hitting position in 2017, dropping his Pioneer League strikeout rate from 32 percent in 2016 to 25 percent last year. Gonzalez has good bat speed and added significant bulk over the offseason, so there should be more thump coming than the mostly gap power he has shown so far. Gonzalez is huge for a center fielder, so whether he stays there long term is in question, but he has the tools to play there for now with slightly above-average speed and a plus arm. Gonzalez is headed to low Class A Hickory next, where he might rotate around the outfield with Miguel Aparicio also there.
The Rockies signed Gonzalez for $1.3 million in 2015, and after one year in the Dominican Summer League they brought him to the U.S. to play at Rookie-level Grand Junction. Gonzalez has a considerable ceiling but is still very raw. A fluent English speaker before he signed, Gonzalez has a high level of intelligence, which allows him to adapt quickly when suggestions are made. He struck out 77 times in 58 games in 2016 but is learning and adjusting. He has excellent bat speed with above-average power potential and also understands the value of using the opposite field. An above-average runner, Gonzalez might lose a step as he fills out. He already has added 25 pounds since signing and could handle another 25 or so. He moved from shortstop to center field in 2016, but with his arm strength he figures to eventually land in right field. Gonzalez is raw enough that he may return to Grand Junction if he doesn't earn a spot at low Class A Asheville.
Signed for $1.3 million in July 2014, Gonzalez enjoyed a strong 2015 debut in the Dominican Summer League, finishing fourth in the league with eight home runs. That power might come as a surprise after seeing Gonzalez's long, skinny frame, but he has tremendous bat speed and has shortened his stroke since signing. A mature hitter for his age with a high baseball IQ, he looks middle-away at the plate and is learning to get better extension through the ball. His power comes easily, and it's easy to dream on, because Gonzalez still has room to add anywhere from 30-50 pounds. Though he strikes out too much, he has a chance to hit for contact because he has shown the aptitude to make adjustments and the ability to manipulate the bat head. The Rockies will keep Gonzalez at shortstop as long as they can--he has the athleticism and arm strength for the position, but a move to an infield or outfield corner is possible as he continues to grow. A fringy runner when he signed, Gonzalez is showing more solid-average to plus speed now. He suffered a fracture in his left arm when he was hit by a pitch at the end of the season, but he should be ready to go in 2016.

Minor League Top Prospects

Gonzalez could easily add another 30-40 pounds as his tall, slender body matures. His performance and body both require projection, but he has intriguing tools. Signed in 2014 for $1.3 million, Gonzalez shifted to center field during spring training after primarily playing shortstop in the Dominican Summer League. His inexperience in the outfield still shows at times, especially when approaching the warning track and in figuring out his angles. He has long, rangy strides and at least average speed. His fringe-average arm should get stronger as he learns to lengthen his arm stroke from the outfield. At the plate, Gonzalez has a decent swing and good bat speed, with the potential for plus raw power, but he needs to make more consistent contact after ranking fourth in the league in strikeouts. He's still learning to handle hard stuff in as well as breaking balls but led the league in triples and has time on his side.