Danny Gonzalez

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #19 prospect in 2004
  The Puerto Rican-born Gonzalez played high school baseball at the Florida Air Academy in Melbourne, where the Philllies found Jorge Padilla two years earlier. While off-field problems caused Anderson Machado and Carlos Rodriguez to regress in 2003, Gonzalez' work ethic made him one of the organization's few shortstops to show improvement last season. While his raw tools aren't as good as theirs, Gonzalez is average across the board and has an outstanding mental approach. He's reliable at shortstop and makes all the routine plays, though he doesn't have the athleticism to complete the exceptional ones. Gonzalez is adept at reading the ball off the bat, enabling him to get to more grounders than his average speed should allow. He's a slap hitter at the plate, where he doesn't try to do too much. Gonzalez did show more pop in 2003, cranking 22 doubles after hitting just 23 the previous two seasons. He'll need to continue getting stronger and enhancing his on-base skills this year in Double-A, because his bat ultimately will decide if he can play every day or serve as a utility infielder.
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  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #24 prospect in 2003
  Like Jorge Padilla, Gonzalez is a Puerto Rican who spent his high school years in the United States playing for the Florida Air Academy in Melbourne. Like Eric Valent, Gonzalez gets lost in a deep Phillies system. Jimmy Rollins and Anderson Machado are ahead of him and Carlos Rodriguez is nipping at his heels. Gonzalez made the jump to full-season ball successfully in 2002. He's a slap hitter with a decent swing, but his bat must improve if he's to continue advancing through the system. Defensively, Gonzalez plays a solid shortstop and displays average arm strength and range. His hands are soft and he shows good actions around the bag. Gonzalez possesses average speed and runs the bases aggressively, though his 11 stolen bases in 32 attempts suggest he's too aggressive. Gonzalez is built similarly to Minnesota's Cristian Guzman, a frame that lends itself to durability but also one that worries the Phillies that he might get too thick for the position. He's headed to high Class A this year.
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  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #27 prospect in 2001
  Like Padilla, Gonzalez was drafted in the top five rounds out of the Florida Air Academy via Puerto Rico. The Phillies believe if it weren't for his lack of speed, Gonzalez would have been regarded among the upper echelon of 2000 draft prospects. But as it is, they may have uncovered a gem with promising potential on both sides of the ball. In instructional league, Gonzalez provided a glimpse of his impressive tools. In particular, his bat shows signs of being a plus, with the potential to add some loft power as he bulks up his frame. At shortstop, he displays soft hands and a strong arm, but his range and the presence of Jimmy Rollins, Anderson Machado and Carlos Rosario in the system could force Gonzalez to shift to second base. The next look the Phillies will get at him will be in extended spring training, before deciding which short-season club he should debut with.