Chisoxfn Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 Gio Gonzalez to Sign on Friday By Jason Gage June 8, 2004 FutureSox.com The Chicago White Sox and compensatory pick Giovany Gonzalez have made a hand shake agreement. Gonzalez will get a $850,000 signing bonus and will get his college tuition paid for if he chooses to go to college. Gonzalez will then fly out to Arizona to begin training. He will likely be sent to Kannapolis or Great Falls following that. Gonzalez was the 2nd best left handed pitching prospect in the draft, behind only Scott Elbert (Seneca High School, Missouri) and arguments could be made that Gonzalez was in fact the best left handed pitching prospect. Had the off the field issues not happened, he would of been a sure fire first rounder. Gonzalez features one of the best hooks in the draft. It isn't a Barry Zito, slow 12-6 curve, but a very hard tight curveball. Gonzalez also has a good fastball and projects to add another couple MPH on his already plus fastball (90-94). Gonzalez mixes in a good changeup as well. The only questions on Gonzalez entering the draft were the incident where his mom blew up with his high school coach over Gio's brothers playing time. The incident lead to Gio being kicked off the team. The other question is how his body will hold up. At 6ft, 170 pounds he has a very small frame for a pitcher. However, as he develops he should put on a little bit more mass, while hopefully adding leg strength, which should put less stress on his arm. Gonzalez went 6-0 with a .93 ERA. He struck out a whopping 81 batters in 37 innings of work prior to him being kicked off Pace Monsignor's team. Pace was ranked #1 in the country most of the season and they were eliminated from the playoffs by Archibishop McCarthy. It was the first game the team played with Giovany. FS Take: Look for Gonzalez and a few of the other higher draft choices to start in Kannapolis. The Intimidators have a strong pitching staff, but they have a few pitchers worthy of a promotion (McCarthy, Haigwood, Rodriguez, possibly Miller), while the Warthogs, are in dire need of improved starting pitching. Both Gonzalez and fellow compensatory pick Tyler Lumsden have the ability to pitch in Kannapolis' rotation out of the gate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimpy2121 Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 The Chicago White Sox and compensatory pick Giovany Gonzalez have made a hand shake agreement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palehosefan Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 I just don't really see how that incident with his mom should have effected his draft position at all. Maybe the fact he didn't play half the season or whatever, but that doesn't say anything about his character over what his mom did about his little bro's playing time. I'm sure his mom made him feel bad for playing while his little brother can't, either that or he just wanted to stick up for his brother. Either way, I think we got ourselves a good one, with a nagging parent lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted June 8, 2004 Author Share Posted June 8, 2004 He's even been commented that he was upset with his parents over the situation. He didn't even do anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHarris1 Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 That is kick ass news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxAce Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 Sweeeet!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danman31 Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 This year's Ryan Sweeney. 2nd round (well kinda), steal out of HS with signability issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cerbaho-WG Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 This is quite possibly the biggest steal of the draft thusfar. Bigger than Sweeney IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted June 9, 2004 Share Posted June 9, 2004 I read that only 28% of first round pitchers ever make the majors. It will be interesting to see if this kid overcomes this or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperSteve Posted June 9, 2004 Share Posted June 9, 2004 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted June 9, 2004 Author Share Posted June 9, 2004 I read that only 28% of first round pitchers ever make the majors. It will be interesting to see if this kid overcomes this or not. That don't apply to him, he's compensatory baby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soxfest Posted June 9, 2004 Share Posted June 9, 2004 Sign him up lets go! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasox24 Posted June 9, 2004 Share Posted June 9, 2004 I'm really excited about this kid! I can't wait to see where he starts and how he does (assuming he does sign and it sounds like he will)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan4life_2007 Posted June 9, 2004 Share Posted June 9, 2004 I'm likin what i'm hearin about this kid. I'm very pleased with our draft this year. It's gonna be fun followin these guys in the minors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomsonmi Posted June 9, 2004 Share Posted June 9, 2004 The hell with following him in the minors, give him the ball on Saturday as our #5! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmags Posted June 9, 2004 Share Posted June 9, 2004 i'm real excited about this, when i first saw we drafted this kid and read his bio I assumed we would lose him, but they must have gotten the go ahead from JR to sign this kid. His stuff sounds ridiculous. A high schooler, left handed, with THREE pitches for strikes? Let alone a 12-6 tight curveball? We got ourselves a fun pitcher here... I like Fields as well though...we drafted MANY 3bs this year...we focused up the middle last year and outfield and this year it seems like we got the corners and catcher shored up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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