The Texas Rangers would prefer 23-year-old pitcher Alex "Chi Chi" Gonzalez begin the season in Triple-A, but they may not have that luxury. The former first-round pick (2013) held his own Monday against a Cincinnati Reds lineup composed of front-line players.
Gonzalez gave up two runs and four hits to go along with six strikeouts over five innings. He struck out former NL MVP Joey Votto twice. In the third inning, he walked two batters with two outs. Gonzalez fell behind 3-0, but he fought back to strike out Votto on an 87-mile-per-hour slider. The slugger appeared to compliment Gonzalez as the two crossed paths in front of the Rangers clubhouse.
Gonzalez was still a bit winded after a quick bottom of the third. He gave up a triple to Marlon Byrd before Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco crushed a ball over the left-field wall. He settled down after that and pitched another inning.
Gonzalez was named the 2014 Nolan Ryan Minor League Pitcher of the Year. He flourished at both High-A Myrtle Beach and Double-A Frisco. Rangers general manager Jon Daniels told 103.3 FM's "The Afternoon Show with Cowlishaw and Mosley" on Monday that Gonzalez is "not far away" from landing a spot in the major-league rotation.
"He has tremendous poise on the mound," Daniels said. Very calm. You see like a Colby Lewis where he looks almost emotionless on the mound.
"Everything with Chi Chi is down, and everything moves. You tell young players you don't want to throw it straight, you don't want to throw it up in the zone. He's naturally gifted at that."
Gonzalez is going to arrive in Arlington at some point this season, and he'd just as soon it be now. He could definitely use more innings in the minors, but the Rangers need another starter who can keep the ball down. He's now lowered his ERA to 3.95.
Gonzalez has an opportunity because of Yu Darvish's season-ending Tommy John surgery. On Monday, Gonzalez took a step toward securing a spot in the rotation.
