Joseph Gonzalez
RHP Auburn
12-6-22 - 2022 Fall Report: Auburn - https://d1baseball.com/fall-report/2022-auburn/ -
Even after losing all those aforementioned key arms, Auburn’s pitching staff has a very strong backbone. It all starts with junior righthander Joseph Gonzalez (7-4, 3.22), a premier Friday night ace to anchor the staff.
Gonzalez followed up his strong sophomore campaign as the staff bell cow by pitching with the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team, so the Tigers limited him to about one inning per week for most of the fall — but they did not want to shut him down altogether because he will have limited training opportunities over winter break in his native Puerto Rico. At the tail end of a long year, Thompson said he thought Gonzalez looked a little tired, and his trademark heavy sinker (an elite groundball-inducing weapon) had less movement than usual this fall, but he finished strong and “made us feel better,” Thompson said. The Tigers can count on Gonzalez to give them 80-100 quality innings and set the tone for the weekends this spring.
12-3-22 - RHP Joseph Gonzalez, SS Cole Foster named Top 100 MLB Draft prospects for 2023 - https://www.si.com/college/auburn/baseball/joseph-gonzalez-cole-foster-named-top-100-mlb-draft-prospects-for-2023 -
D1Baseball.com recently unveiled their first list ($) at the conclusion of fall ball, and have RHP Joseph Gonzalez at #28 and SS Cole Foster at #40.
For Gonzalez, they note his improved velocity and "pitchability" - a baseball term that refers to a pitcher's ability to execute his pitches well enough to exploit a hitter's weaknesses.
Gonzalez has made quite the transition since early this season when he was only up to 91 mph with his fastball at the State Farm College Showdown. The sinkerballer has been up to 94-95 mph with his fastball recently with the USA CNT and has excellent pitchability with a starter-type delivery.
Look for Auburn to deploy Gonzalez as the ace this season, with weekend usage varied based on bullpen needs and the status of the series. He threw 78.1 innings last season, with a 3.22 ERA and a dominant 4-game stretch after returning from a midseason finger injury of 30 SEC innings with six earned runs allowed, two walks to nineteen strikeouts, and six or more innings in every outing (including a complete game against Vanderbilt). He uses the heavy sinker to induce groundballs and avoid walks, only allowing 15 BB last year. Refining the slider, currently locating to both sides of the zone with a short, cutter-ish action will be crucial, as well as continued development of the changeup, a clear 3rd pitch.
11-28-22 - 2023 MLB Draft: College Top 100 Prospects - https://d1baseball.com/prospects/2023-mlb-draft-college-top-100-prospects/ -
28 Joseph Gonzalez RHP Auburn SEC
11-12-22 - 2023 MLB Draft – Top 50 College Prospects -
https://www.prospects1500.com/mlb-draft/2023-mlb-draft-top-50-college-prospects/
36. Joseph Gonzalez, RHP, Auburn – Gonzalez is the definition of a limited effort arm as his delivery reminds me of a kuckleballer, but the sinking fastball still runs up to 94. He also has a quality slider and a mid-80s changeup with real sink. The arm is short on the way back but gets decent extension in a low 3/4 slot that helps create horizontal movement to go with the fact everything sinks. While his strikeout numbers are unlikely to wow you at the next level, he is a groundball pitcher who can hold his stuff late into outings and is a high floor starter.
All the 2023 Draft Prospects in the Mack’s Mets database can be viewed by going to www.macksmets.blogspot.com and clicking on 2023 DRAFT PROSPECT DATABASE found on the top, left of the front page of the site.
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