Severino Gonzalez

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #19 prospect in 2015
  Gonzalez was plucked out of Panama in 2011 and spent two nondescript years in the Venezuelan Summer League before making what was supposed to be a two-start cameo at low Class A Lakewood in 2013. He was so dominant in those two starts, however, that he forced the Phillies' hand and finished the year at Double-A Reading. Gonzalez is armed with above-average command of four pitches, but the Phillies wanted to develop his changeup further in 2014. With that in mind, they took away his best pitch, a cutter thrown in the low 90s, for the first part of the season and asked him to throw more changeups. One result was an improved change, in the mid-80s, that could be average in the future; another was a plummeting strikeout rate and the second-most home runs allowed in the Eastern League. Gonzalez throws a low-80s slider that scouts say needs to be tightened before it's considered a weapon. Gonzalez showed excellent durability for such a slight body and should move up to Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2015. His strikethrowing ability profiles him as a back-end starter.
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  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #9 prospect in 2014
  The biggest surprise in the organization, Gonzalez didn't sign until he was 18 but made up for lost time in 2013. Making his U.S. debut after having starred in the Rookie-level Venezuelan Summer League for two seasons, he took advantage of what was supposed to be a two-start fill-in role at high Class A Clearwater and never went back to low Class A Lakewood. Gonzalez's command elevates an otherwise average arsenal. He showcases near elite-level control of a three-pitch mix, which is predicated on a low-90s heater that features both cut and sink. He has added nearly 10 mph to his fastball since signing and commands the pitch well. His curveball and slider both project to be average as he throws both for strikes, and he's been toying with a changeup as well. He varies the velocity on his breaking balls to keep hitters off balance, but he'll need the changeup after allowing lefthanded hitters to bat .309/.380/.404 against him in the FSL. His slight frame prompts questions about whether he can handle a starter's workload. Gonzalez finished the year with a flourish, fanning six in 6 2/3 frames in Double-A Reading's season finale, with Twins prospect Miguel Sano as his final strikeout victim. Gonzalez figures to return to Reading to start 2014.