Edgar Gonzalez

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #9 prospect in 2004
  Gonzalez signed for $3,500 at age 17, but got homesick and left the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League before throwing an inning. He made his pro debut two years later in 2002, threw a Midwest League no-hitter in his second start, and reached the majors in June 2003. He won his major league debut against the Padres. Gonzalez is crafty, mixing four pitches while moving them all around the strike zone. He throws his fastball at 88-91 mph, keeping 94-95 in his pocket for when he needs it. He also adds and subtracts from his changeup and uses three different curveballs, each with different movement and velocity. Gonzalez doesn't have a true knockout pitch, so he doesn't always miss bats or put hitters away at key moments. While Gonzalez studies hitters, he sometimes toys with lesser threats rather than challenging them and getting rid of them quickly. A future No. 3 starter, Gonzalez spent the winter in Panama to help him prepare for a spring audition for Arizona's rotation.
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  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #6 prospect in 2003
  Signed at 17 for a mere $3,500, Gonzalez was sent home from the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League because of homesickness. He returned to the Diamondbacks last April and threw a no-hitter in his second low Class A start. He was even better after a promotion to high Class A Lancaster. His roll continued into the offseason, as he led the Mexican Pacific League in wins (eight) and ERA (1.89). Unlike most true four-pitch pitchers, Gonzalez can reach the mid-90s with his fastball. He was clocked at 96 mph in the ninth inning of one of his starts at South Bend. His slider is his second-best pitch, and he has a curveball and changeup. Gonzalez has great feel for altering the speed of his pitches. He wants the ball in big situations. Gonzalez isn't lacking much beyond experience. If he can improve his command within the strike zone, he has the stuff to dominate hitters. Counting winter ball, he racked up 250 innings in a nine-month period, so Arizona should monitor his 2003 workload carefully. Gonzalez looks ready to make the jump to Double-A. If he keeps developing this rapidly, he could be in Arizona by September.