Photo Credit: Pat Sanchez/BrookylnBaseballBanter
#17 RHP Merandy Gonzalez
Ht: 6’1″ Wt: 195 Level: Brooklyn
B/T: R/R Age: 10/9/95 (21) Age Dif: -1.4
Acquired: International Free Agent 2013
2016 MiLB Statistics: 6-3, 2.87 ERA, 14 G, 14 GS, 69.0 IP, 1.33 WHIP, 9.3 K/9
Throughout his brief professional career, Gonzalez has been a very effective starting pitcher. Since graduating from the Dominican Summer Leagues, Gonzalez has posted a 2.72 ERA, 1.201 WHIP, and a 9.0 K/9. Gonzalez has three effective pitches he can throw in all parts of the zone, and he can throw them all for strikes. Moreover, when the opposition puts the ball in play, it is usually on the ground. At the lower levels of the minor leagues, this traditionally leads to a lot of success.
The main issue with Gonzalez right now is his delivery as he is telegraphing his pitches. Watching Gonzalez pitch, you see that he not only changes arm speeds, but also arm angles for each of his pitches. At the lower level of the minor leagues, you can get away with that. However, the more sophisticated batters you will see in AA and AAA will be able to sit on both his curveball and his changeup and drive them.
Another issue with Gonzalez is the inconsistency in his delivery. At times, he seemingly tries to over-throw a pitch. This is especially true with this fastball, where he’s trying to get some extra velocity on the pitch, and his curveball, where he is trying to get some extra movement. He ends up flying open, leading him to throw his fastball high and in on a right-handed batter and hanging hanging his curveball.
It should be noted these issues are not uncommon for pitchers young pitchers in the lower level of the minor leagues. If Gonzalez can fix these issues with some of the better pitching coaches in the Mets farm system, he has some real promise. When things are going right with him, his change-up, admittedly flat, has about an 8-10 MPH difference from his fastball. With better mechanics and/or a different grip, he might be able to eventually generate the sinking action that would make it a plus pitch.
As for his fastball, Gonzalez typically throws in the low to mid 90s. When he’s sound in his mechanics, he’s able to throw it for strikes. At times, Gonzalez is able to get his fastball into the upper 90s. Right now, he has a tendency to lose control of the pitch when he tries to ramp it up that high, but as he progresses, and continues to mature physically, Gonzalez can very well find himself regularly throwing in the upper 90s. If so, his projection could move him from a back-end starter to a middle of the rotation option.
Overall, the key to Gonzalez is the development of a breaking pitch. Right now, Gonzalez throws a good curveball. When he throws it properly, the pitch has good movement with a late break. As he’s gotten better with the curveball, he has generated a higher number of groundballs. Ultimately, his ability to throw the pitch effectively in the upper levels of the minors, and possibly the majors, is going to depend on his keeping the same arm slot as his fastball.
If Gonzalez is unable to secure the correct arm slot for the curveball, he is a candidate to learn the slider. Fact is, at some point in his development, the Mets are most likely going to introduce the slider to him as they have done with most of their top prospects. If Gonzalez is able to effectively throw either a curveball or a slider, he is going to be a Major League pitcher.
At the moment, Merandy Gonzalez looks like the type of pitcher that will ultimately wind up in the bullpen as a two pitch pitcher that has a high 90s fastball. However, the Mets should stick with Gonzalez in the rotation for as long as possible because he has the tools to be an effective starting pitcher.
2017 Outlook:
After having a successful season in Brooklyn last year, Gonzalez appears ticketed for the Class-A Columbia Fireflies to start the upcoming season. There, Gonzalez and pitching coach Jonathan Hurst will get to work on his arm slots and trying to not overthrow his pitches.
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Overthrowing comes from trying to do too much. Gonzalez will learn to relax and focus on his arm slot as he progresses. Great to read that Gonzalez has the stamina to last as a starter because a good three pitch mix that includes an upper 90’s heater will make him a legit #3 starter, and possible a #2.
So far so good this season for him. I like him as a starter and he’s probably ending the year at High A ball. Him, Dunn and Szapucki could be a nice crop of starters coming up in next 2-3 years.