Erik Gonzalez

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #11 prospect in 2018
  Gonzalez spent much of 2017 serving as the Indians' utility infielder, a position in which he has plenty of experience. He played every position but pitcher and catcher early in his professional career before settling in at shortstop in 2013 and eventually getting the opportunity to fill in at shortstop for Francisco Lindor after a midseason promotion. But in the Indians' crowded big league infield, Gonzalez has returned to his utility roots, appearing at five positions in 81 games. He has some intriguing offensive tools, including above-average speed and surprising pop stemming from his wiry strength and bat speed. He is an aggressive hitter and rarely walks, limiting his chances as a top-of-the-order hitter. Defensively, Gonzalez stands out for his quickness and above-average arm strength. He can produce highlight-reel plays, but has also been prone to making mental mistakes. He is versatile enough to play anywhere in the infield and has gotten some work in the outfield corners as well. Gonzalez will play 2018 as a 26-year-old and will have a difficult challenge to win a starting spot in the Indians' infield. He could still become an everyday player, but he is more likely to return to his utility role in Cleveland, where his versatility is an asset.
• 
  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #9 prospect in 2017
  Gonzalez played every position but pitcher and catcher at the outset of his career as a result of the infield depth in the Indians system. When Francisco Lindor was promoted from high Class A Carolina in 2013, Gonzalez got a chance to fill the hole left at shortstop. He fared better than expected playing the position full-time and reached the big leagues in 2016. But with Lindor now firmly established as Cleveland's shortstop, Gonzalez returned to his roots as a utility player, and he appeared at four positions in 21 big league games. Gonzalez has made effective adjustments to his offensive game, enabling the righthanded hitter to incorporate his above-average speed and tap into the pop his bat speed and wiry strength produce. He is an aggressive hitter and rarely walks, limiting his chances as a top-of-the-order hitter. Gonzalez has outstanding defensive skills. His quickness and plus arm strength allow him to make highlight-reel plays at shortstop, but he is also prone to making mental mistakes. He's versatile enough to play anywhere in the infield and has gotten some work in the outfield as well. If he can develop more consistency, Gonzalez has the tools to be an everyday shortstop--just not for the Indians. Regardless, his versatility is an ideal fit for the big league roster.
• 
  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #12 prospect in 2016
  Gonzalez played every position but pitcher and catcher early in his pro career as a result of the infield depth in the Indians system. But when Cleveland promoted Francisco Lindor from high Class A Carolina in 2013, Gonzalez got a chance to fill the hole left at shortstop. He fared better than expected playing the position full-time and has continued to build on that initial success, and he reached Triple-A Columbus in 2015. Gonzalez struggled at the plate before a few tweaks to his swing led to a breakout in 2014. He didn't quite repeat that success as he advanced to the upper minors in 2015, but he has intriguing offensive tools. He's an above-average runner and has begun to better incorporate speed into his game, and has tapped into the power his bat speed and wiry strength produce. But he'll need to become more consistent at the plate to reach his potential. Gonzalez has outstanding defensive skills. His quickness and arm strength allow him to make highlight-reel plays, but consistency remains an issue on that side of the ball. He has a .957 fielding percentage since becoming a full-time shortstop and made 23 errors in 2015, largely due to mental mistakes. Gonzalez has the tools to be an everyday shortstop, if he can put everything together. But with Lindor manning shortstop in Cleveland for the foreseeable future, Gonzalez's versatility could help him find a role as a utility infielder. He'll continue to refine his game at Columbus in 2016.
• 
  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #8 prospect in 2015
  Francisco Lindor isn't the only shortstop prospect for whom the Indians harbor high hopes. Gonzalez enjoyed a huge winter in the Dominican League and used it as a springboard into 2014. Just a .264 career hitter entering the year, Gonzalez hit a combined .309/.353/.428 at high Class A Carolina and Double-A Akron, where he moved when Lindor moved up to Triple-A. Gonzalez has been noted more for his defensive prowess in the past, but his bat has begun to catch up. He began incorporating a high leg kick two years ago and has gotten more comfortable with it and improved his timing. He generates good bat speed and has wiry strength, though his approach isn't geared for power. His plate discipline made progress in 2014 but remains his biggest area for improvement. His defense remains his calling card. He has an athletic frame'tall with long, lanky levers--and a strong arm. He makes plays look easy, ranging well to both sides. He also began putting his above-average speed to better use on the bases, reaching the 20-steal mark for the first time in his career. The Indians want to keep Gonzalez at shortstop as long as possible, which will require staying a level behind Lindor. If Gonzalez eventually does have to move, his strong arm would allow him to handle either second or third base.
• 
  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #19 prospect in 2014
  With the Indians' glut of middle-infield prospects, Gonzalez flew under the radar until 2013. Part of that is because he simply hadn't played shortstop since 2010 in the Dominican Summer League, instead seeing time at third base, first base and the outfield. He played third again in 2013 at low Class A Lake County before finally getting his chance at shortstop following a promotion to high Class A Carolina in July, taking over the spot vacated by Francisco Lindor's move to Double-A. The Indians had always liked Gonzalez's athleticism, but he took time to grow into his gangly body. He has the tools to stick at shortstop with his good hands, lateral agility and above-average arm. Gonzalez's defensive abilities prompted Cleveland to add him to its 40-man roster, but his bat has a long way to go. He has a balanced stroke with line-drive power, but he uses a high leg kick that disrupts his timing. He can hit a fastball, though he cheats at times, leaving him vulnerable to breaking pitches which he struggles to recognize. He's a slightly-above-average runner underway, but his speed doesn't translate into stolen bases. He tore up winter ball in the Dominican and should move quickly if he keeps progressing, but he'll begin 2014 back at Carolina.

• December, 2016 Scouting Report
  Background: Gonzalez played every position but pitcher and catcher at the outset of his career. When Francisco Lindor was promoted from high Class A Carolina in 2013, Gonzalez got a chance to fill the hole left at shortstop. He fared better than expected playing the position full-time and reached the big leagues in 2016. But with Lindor now firmly established as Cleveland's shortstop, Gonzalez returned to his roots as a utility player, and he appeared at four positions in 21 big league games. Scouting Report: Gonzalez has made effective adjustments to his offensive game, enabling the righthanded hitter to incorporate his above-average speed and tap into the pop his bat speed and wiry strength produce. He is an aggressive hitter and rarely walks, limiting his chances as a top-of-the-order hitter. Gonzalez has outstanding defensive skills. His quickness and plus arm strength allow him to make highlight-reel plays at shortstop, but he is also prone to making mental mistakes. He's versatile enough to play anywhere in the infield and has gotten some work in the outfield.
  
  The Future: If he can develop more consistency, Gonzalez has the tools to be an everyday shortstop--just not for the Indians. Regardless, his versatility is an ideal fit for the big league roster.