Miguel Gonzalez

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Chicago White Sox #24 prospect in 2011
  Gonzalez fulfilled expectations shutting down the running game in 2010, but he often looked lost as a hitter during his first full-season assignment. He combines a strong arm with a quick release, reminiscent of Ivan Rodriguez, and he ranked second in the low Class A South Atlantic League by erasing 50 percent of basestealers last year. The only knock on his throwing is that he had a head snap in his mechanics that can affect his accuracy. Gonzalez's heavy body works against him behind the plate, and his footwork needs improvement. He remains a work in progress as a blocker and game-caller. His bat remains his biggest question. After hitting .302 and showing power in his 2009 U.S. debut, he had to rally to get above the Mendoza Line and generated little power last year. He chases a lot of pitchers and tries to pull everything, and he particularly struggles against offspeed pitches. He's a major project for the organization's hitting coaches. He's a below-average runner, no surprise for a stocky catcher. The White Sox praise his mental toughness and hope his .270 August will be a springboard to a better 2011, but scouts outside the organization see him as a max-effort player with little projection. He'll move up to high Class A and try to get his bat going.
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  Ranked Chicago White Sox #10 prospect in 2010
  There were no headlines when the White Sox signed Gonzalez, but he has grabbed attention with his play and approach ever since. He hit .302/.372/.481 in his U.S. debut last season, which included an emergency three-game stint in Triple-A in the final week. Gonzalez is a true two-way catcher, strong at the plate and behind it. He has the bat speed to hit a good fastball, prompting teams to pitch backward against him. He's a line-drive hitter who should add power as his thin upper body fills out to match his thick legs. He threw out 35 percent of basestealers last season with his plus arm, and he's a sound receiver with an an advanced feel for running games. Gonzalez already has a thick lower half, and he'll have to maintain his conditioning to retain the agility to play behind the plate. He's working to quicken his release on throws. He only has 305 pro at-bats and much more advanced pitching awaits at higher levels. Gonzalez is on the fast track. He'll open 2010 in low Class A as a 19-year-old and could appear on the big league radar in the second half of 2011. Two large obstacles loom ahead in Tyler Flowers and 2009 sandwich pick Josh Phegley.