Rayan Gonzalez

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #30 prospect in 2018
  Gonzalez was in position to make the Rockies' bullpen out of spring training in 2017, but arm problems eventually led to Tommy John surgery in mid-May and cost him the season. Gonzalez overpowers hitters with a 96 mph cutter that has natural depth. It's complimented by a downer curveball that will play at altitude and he also throws a quality changeup. Given his limited experience--208.1 innings since signing with the Rockies as a 21st-round draft choice in 2012--the Rockies will be careful with him in the spring, and he most likely won't be ready to pitch competitively until midseason. Coming off Tommy John surgery, combined with spending three stints on the disabled list with High-A Modesto in 2015, has the Rockies wanting to make sure Gonzalez has rebuilt his arm strength before getting him back in a competitive atmosphere.
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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #19 prospect in 2015
  After not signing with the Athletics as an 18th-rounder out of high school in Puerto Rico, Gonzalez attended Bethune-Cookman, a historically black college in Daytona Beach, Fla., whose baseball coach Jason Beverlin recruits P.R. Gonzalez began the 2014 season at high Class A Modesto in a setup role but began closing in late May when Raul Fernandez faltered. Gonzalez did not allow a home run in 56 innings, making it two straight seasons totaling 110 innings in which he has not yielded a homer. He is an extreme groundball pitcher, whose groundout/airout ratio was 3.3 in 2014. Gonzalez has tremendous stuff and doesn't throw anything straight but has below-average command of three pitches. His heavy sinker ranges from 90-95 mph and sits around 93. He throws a changeup around 80 mph with good depth and a devastating 85-86 mph cutter with sharp bite and downward tilt. Gonzalez continually pitches himself into trouble, which shouldn't happen with stuff suited for the back end of the bullpen. But to be reliable in the eighth or ninth, Gonzalez will have to improve his control. He should begin the 2015 season at Double-A New Britain.
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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #14 prospect in 2014
  Gonzalez attended high school in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, but did not sign with the Athletics as an 18th-rounder in 2008. Instead he attended Bethune-Cookman, a historically black college in Daytona Beach, Fla., whose baseball coach Jason Beverlin recruits Puerto Rico. Gonzalez began his career with 22 relief appearances at Rookie-level Grand Junction in 2012, then posted a 3.3 SO/BB ratio in 49 relief appearances at low Class A Asheville, logging 12 saves when he filled in for injured closer Raul Fernandez. Gonzalez throws a hard sinker and a devastating cutter and doesn't throw anything straight. His heavy sinker ranges from 92-95 mph and is consistently 93-94. Gonzalez also has an above-average changeup. He can control the strike zone but doesn't yet command it and can get into stretches of missing the strike zone entirely. Gonzalez is an extreme groundball pitcher, posting a 2.5 groundout/airout ratio in 2013, and is intriguing because of his stuff. He will pitch at high Class A Modesto in 2014 and has a chance to progress quickly.