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2002 season Gonzalez's
velocity, stock as a prospect both shooting higher in second AFL season Mike Gonzalez has always pitched like a power pitcher, according to Scott Lovekamp, his longtime pitching coach in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization and now filling that same role for the Arizona Fall League's Phoenix Desert Dogs.
"He liked to throw inside a lot," said Lovekamp, who has worked with Gonzalez every year since the Texas native joined the Pirates in 1997. "He had a sharp breaking ball and he got a lot of strikeouts on breaking balls down and elevated fastballs. I used to tell him, 'You try to be like a power guy, but you're not.'" The difference is that the left-handed Gonzalez is now throwing in the mid-90s instead of around 90- 91 miles per hour. "NOW he's a power pitcher," asserted Lovekamp. What makes Gonzalez even more effective is that he throws what is often referred to as a 'sneaky fastball.' "That's pretty much what everyone says," commented Gonzalez about the deceptive nature of his best pitch. "It doesn't seem that I'm throwing too hard. But seeing guys swing, it's obvious that's what it is ... a sneaky fastball." Never considered a top prospect prior to this season, Gonzalez now ranks as a strong candidate to make the jump to the Pittsburgh Pirates pitching staff in 2003, despite not having pitched above the class AA level. "I definitely feel that I'm ready," stated Gonzalez, confidently. "I haven't been healthy (before). But I feel that when I'm healthy, I can pitch anywhere." Gonzalez has battled back from shoulder and knee injuries the last two years. His health problems have slowed the progress of Pittsburgh's 1997 30th round draft choice. Now 24, the 6'2", 217-pound Gonzalez is making up for lost time with his second consecutive strong AFL performance. Assigned to the Fall League last year as a late replacement for another Pittsburgh pitcher, Gonzalez proceeded to record the league's second best earned run average, finishing with a 1.99 mark in 22.2 innings. After a regular season in which he went 8-4 with a 3.80 ERA at class AA Altoona, Gonzalez returned to the AFL for a second season. His performance this year has been even more impressive. With just two games left in the regular season, Gonzalez has a 1.06 ERA in 17 innings. He has fanned 23 batters while walking only five. The 24-year-old southpaw finds the level of play in Major League Baseball's premier development league to his liking. "The competition here is so much higher," remarked Gonzalez about the AFL. "You've got to concentrate and focus on what you're doing a little more. It's good for me." Lovekamp credits the way Gonzalez is used in Arizona as contributing to his AFL success. "One of the reasons he's pitched so well in the Fall League is that he's been in the reliever role," stated the Desert Dog pitching coach. "Pitching one or two innings at a time is beneficial to Mike. He can come out and be more aggressive and let it go and not have to think so much." Does this mean that Gonzalez is better suited for a bullpen role, despite having spent most of his professional career as a starting pitcher?
"He can definitely get there (the big leagues) quicker as a reliever," answered Lovekamp, "primarily because you only have to be a two-pitch guy. His changeup is okay; he just doesn't use it too much. It's not as good as his other two pitches." Lovekamp continued, "Down the road, I could see him being a starter in the major leagues as he matures mentally and gets a little experience." The possibility of a role as a reliever is all right with Gonzalez for now. "They (Pittsburgh organization) see me in the bullpen," commented Gonzalez. "I don't have a problem with that ... starting, relieving ... it's all the same to me. I just want to go out there and pitch." Gonzalez confirmed that Pittsburgh is looking more closely at him because of his AFL success. "That's definitely the case," he responded. "I want to put some pressure on them. I want to let them know I want to make that team." Lovekamp, who is credited by Gonzalez as being one of the primary influences in his career, agreed that the Pirates are very satisfied with the left-hander's progress. "We're real happy with the way he's throwing down here," said Lovekamp. "He's pounding the strike zone, has been real aggressive, and has just attacked the hitters." As a 30th round draft choice, Gonzalez has always had to prove himself. "I definitely felt I had to work way harder than the other guys," he stated. "You don't have anything handed to you, so you've got to prove yourself at every level." Gonzalez attributes the work ethic he developed during his career as one of the primary factors for his success. "That's definitely what's kept me here," he said. Lovekamp added another key element in the pitcher's development, stating, "He's shown a lot more maturity and confidence in himself." Gonzalez will head back to his hometown of Pasadena, Texas, just outside Houston, after the fall season to spend needed time with his family. "I'm a very family-oriented guy," said Gonzalez. "My dad ... my mother ... my sisters ... that's what got me going and kept me here." --- Bill Mitchell All photos on the Arizona Fall League Report are credited to Bill Mitchell, unless noted otherwise, and are not to be used for any other purpose without express permission.
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