Red Sox's Wikelman Gonzalez: Rough start to season
Rotowire
Gonzalez has an 11.12 ERA and 2.88 WHIP over three appearances (two starts) at Double-A Portland.
Control has long been a challenge for Gonzalez, and the issue is even more prevalent early in the 2024 minor-league season. He walked eight batters over his first two starts -- he lasted just two-thirds of an inning in his second start -- and has issued nine free passes overall in 5.2 innings. The right-hander had an encouraging third outing Sunday, when he walked only one over three scoreless innings as a piggyback starter.
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Red Sox's Wikelman Gonzalez: Cut from major-league camp
Rotowire
Gonzalez was optioned to Triple-A Worcester by the Red Sox on Friday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.
Gonzalez was added to the 40-man roster over the winter and is one of the club's better pitching prospects, but he was always going to head back to the minors for more seasoning. The 21-year-old should open the season in Worcester's rotation.
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Red Sox's Wikelman Gonzalez: Gets spot on 40-man
Rotowire
The Red Sox selected Gonzalez to their 40-man roster Tuesday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.
The 21-year-old right-hander worked to a 3.96 ERA and 168:70 K:BB over 111.1 innings (25 starts) this past season between High-A Greenville and Double-A Portland. Gonzalez needs to rein in his command, but the raw swing-and-miss stuff is certainly enticing and he is now protected from being plucked away by another organization in next month's Rule 5 Draft.
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Red Sox's Wikelman Gonzalez: Earns organizational award
Rotowire
Gonzalez was on hand at Fenway Park to accept the organization's Starting Pitcher of the Year Award prior to Tuesday night's game, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.
Organizational awards weren't on Gonzalez's mind at the end of April, a month he ended with an ERA of 15.58 over four starts. The right-hander worked to make adjustments and eventually earned a promotion to Double-A Portland, where he thrived. Overall, Gonzalez finished with a 3.96 ERA in 25 starts; after his promotion, he had a 2.42 ERA with 63 strikeouts over 48.1 innings (10 starts) for the Sea Dogs.
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Red Sox's Wikelman Gonzalez: Thriving at Double-A
Rotowire
Gonzalez has a 2.45 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in eight starts since being promoted to Double-A Portland, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.
Gonzalez dominated in his most recent outing, throwing six scoreless innings while not allowing a hit until his final frame. Opponents are batting just .147 against the right-hander, who is averaging 11.6 K/9. One warning flag that jumps out are Gonzalez's walks; he's allowed more walks (22) than hits (20) in 40.1 innings for the Sea Dogs. The organization will have him work on repeating his mechanics in between starts to correct that issue. The Red Sox are expected to add him to the 40-man roster during the offseason and have him pitch in big-league camp during 2024 spring training.
Red Sox's Wilkelman Gonzalez: Bumped up to Double-A
Rotowire
Gonzalez was promoted from High-A Greenville to Double-A Portland this week, Chris Hatfield of SoxProspects.com reports.
The electric righty had a 2.01 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 55 strikeouts in 31.1 innings over his last six starts for the Drive, so the fact he has a 5.14 ERA on the season should be largely overlooked. Gonzalez generally logs elevated walk rates, and he will need to limit the free passes to have regular success against Double-A hitters.
