Gonsalves Interview w/Grant Paulsen

[Major League Ready]

Grant Paulsen had Steven Gonsalves on his radio show this morning.  One somewhat interesting thing came out of the interview was that Paulsen asked Gonsalves about the organizational philosophy.  Gonsalves said it changed a couple years ago.  They had been teaching pitch to contact.  The last couple years they have been teaching them to go for K when ahead in the count.

 

Later in the show, John Manual from BA was on.  He was part of the group at BA that put together the minor league all-stars.  He was quite high on Gonsalves and they talked about Gonsalves much longer than any other prospect.  Manual and Paulsen both used Dallas Keuchel as a comp and they seemed to conclude Gonsalves was overlooked because of his FB is low 90s.  It's going to be interesting to see where he ends up on various lists this off-season. 

[Lefty74]

It's always interesting when low 90's velocity is considered substandard. I just looked at 2015 Fangraphs data for starting pitchers. They list 77 with enough innings to qualify under their classification. Right in the middle sit pitchers like Bumgarner, Greinke, Gibson, Lester at average fastball velo of 92. As Twins fans we are enamored with velo since we haven't seen much success with pitch to contact. If Gonsalves throws 91+ with command of multiple pitches and deception his stuff should be more than good enough.

[diehardtwinsfan]

The K thing was a big change when Neil Allen came on board.  That has been documented in a few places on this site.

[gunnarthor]

Klaw wasn't too high on Gonsalves in his last chat - said something like a two pitch pitcher without a great fastball.  Thought he could be maybe a back-end starter.  

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Good to hear there has been a different message, but, telling your pitchers to go for the strikeout when they're ahead in the count...there's got to be more to it than that.

[Mike Sixel]

Great update, thanks,

[clutterheart]

 

Klaw wasn't too high on Gonsalves in his last chat - said something like a two pitch pitcher without a great fastball.  Thought he could be maybe a back-end starter.  

 

This is the kind of stuff we have been hearing about him since he started to do well in the MidWest league.  We'll see but at some point you can't ignore the stats he is putting up and I don't see any major redflags except maybe he walks too many guys.

 

[gunnarthor]

 

This is the kind of stuff we have been hearing about him since he started to do well in the MidWest league.  We'll see but at some point you can't ignore the stats he is putting up and I don't see any major redflags except maybe he walks too many guys.

Yeah, I hope you're right.  I'm really excited to see what the scouting reports say about him this offseason.  I haven't heard much during the season.

[drivlikejehu]

Keuchel isn't a very good comp at all - Gonsalves is an extreme flyball pitcher. I like him as a prospect but it's fair to wonder how well his stuff will play in the Majors.

[Major League Ready]

 

This is the kind of stuff we have been hearing about him since he started to do well in the MidWest league.  We'll see but at some point you can't ignore the stats he is putting up and I don't see any major redflags except maybe he walks too many guys.

This is basically what Paulsen was saying.  He said he gets a lot of weak contact.  IDK without seeing him  pitch on multiple occasions.  I do know we really need what he's got to transfer to the majors.  He's not going to be an ace but I would be thrilled with three 2s and two 3s after what we have been watching for several years. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Grant Paulsen had Steven Gonsalves on his radio show this morning.  One somewhat interesting thing came out of the interview was that Paulsen asked Gonsalves about the organizational philosophy.  Gonsalves said it changed a couple years ago.  They had been teaching pitch to contact.  The last couple years they have been teaching them to go for K when ahead in the count.

 

Later in the show, John Manual from BA was on.  He was part of the group at BA that put together the minor league all-stars.  He was quite high on Gonsalves and they talked about Gonsalves much longer than any other prospect.  Manual and Paulsen both used Dallas Keuchel as a comp and they seemed to conclude Gonsalves was overlooked because of his FB is low 90s.  It's going to be interesting to see where he ends up on various lists this off-season. 

 

Is there a link, by any chance? I'd love to listen.

 

I've written and talked about the organizational pitching philosophy change a few times. That was pretty clear from conversations with players as well as some of the stats. Talked to some catchers who talked about working UP in the zone with the fastball which is something they never would have done before. In my opinion, it changed when Brad Steil took over for Jim Rantz. He's much more into the numbers, digs into the trackman and gets the value of the strikeouts. I also think that Jack Goin deserves some credit as well. Two very smart individuals. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Klaw wasn't too high on Gonsalves in his last chat - said something like a two pitch pitcher without a great fastball.  Thought he could be maybe a back-end starter.  

 

I can't speak for Law, but not sure if he saw him this year. Before this year, he was primarily fastball/changeup with a sub-par (by many) breaking ball. That was what he spent a lot of time working on in the offseason and it became a great pitch for him. He got a lot of strikeouts on it. Different speeds. So, in reality, he's got 4-5 pitches and understands how to change velocity on them. 

[diehardtwinsfan]

wonder if Law will update his opinion at some point... Gonsalves really turned a corner this year.  While we've certainly seen guys struggle, he's been flat out unhittable... what I find even more interesting is that while he's a fly ball pitcher, he manages to keep the ball in the park.

[Jack Goin]

 

The K thing was a big change when Neil Allen came on board.  That has been documented in a few places on this site.

It was well before Neil Allen came on board. It was when Brad Steil took over as Director of Minor Leagues.

[Major League Ready]

 

Is there a link, by any chance? I'd love to listen.

 

I've written and talked about the organizational pitching philosophy change a few times. That was pretty clear from conversations with players as well as some of the stats. Talked to some catchers who talked about working UP in the zone with the fastball which is something they never would have done before. In my opinion, it changed when Brad Steil took over for Jim Rantz. He's much more into the numbers, digs into the trackman and gets the value of the strikeouts. I also think that Jack Goin deserves some credit as well. Two very smart individuals. 

Seth,  I don't think there is a link.  I heard it while driving on XM radio.  His show Minors and Majors is on Sunday mornings.

[gunnarthor]

 

It was well before Neil Allen came on board. It was when Brad Steil took over as Director of Minor Leagues.

Thanks Jack.  I really hope you and Brad stick around after the FO change.