Catching Up With LHP Stephen Gonsalves

Wow. I like this kids attitude. I say confident, not arrogant. Seems like he knows what he's trying to do.

Its still surprising that he fell to the 4th round, and I think we are all looking forward to seeing him pitch for the Twins someday.  Lefties who through in the low 90's with an off speed pitch always have a chance for at least a LOOGY role.

He has work to do, when he got promoted to FM his K% and BB% both went the wrong way - by a lot  But it sounds like he recognizes that and knows where to improve.  Hopefully he can do it.  

After reading this last night, I checked out mlb pipelines LHP top ten list. Stephen didn't make it, but was listed in the "up next" part. Apparently he was a popular name in trade talks last summer.

The part I liked best, out of a great set of questions and answers, was pitching inside.  Nothing wrong with making a batter move their feet once in a while, and bad things are a lot more likely to happen if you don't do that.

Can't wait to see him in the Bigs!

I remember reading about him prior to the draft a few years ago. I think 4th round was a steal for him, mostly because he missed most of his senior season due to a suspension because he lied to his principal about his friend who had recently got caught smoking pot and he helped him hide it or something like that.  So basically the Twins got a 1st round talent in the 4th round.

I also don't understand the criticism many on TD have about him.  I personally think he will be a very good major league starter.  I have gotten into disagreements in regards to him on here last season about his ceiling, etc.  His numbers dropped a bit in A+ ball, but that is to be expected, he didn't get hit hard and is continuing to improve and adjust.  I wouldn't be surprised if he is a front end (# 2ish) starter sometime in the next 5 years.

I liked his explanation (not excuse) about his numbers dropping off in Florida--shows he didn't use the heat as an excuse, so much as a learning opportunity.  Mature.  

Not every young pitcher from San Diego gets to work out with Strasburg, Shields, et al.  Another point in favor of his makeup.  Hard to put a number on something like that.  Shields, Strasburg, and Young all strike me as smart, competitive types who wouldn't just workout with a kid because he happened to have the right connections.

He strikes me as someone who could really move fast now…Seth, your little "probably not a 2016 debut" comment might be on his wall.  

He strikes me as someone who could really move fast now…Seth, your little "probably not a 2016 debut" comment might be on his wall.  

I could see him moving quickly too.  However, I hope he starts off in Fort Myers again to do to that league what he did after repeating the Midwest league last year, and completely dominate it.  He's still about 2-3 years younger than the average age for the Florida State League.  Get him that confidence out the gate them move him to AA in May or June and hope it continues.

I could see him moving quickly too.  However, I hope he starts off in Fort Myers again to do to that league what he did after repeating the Midwest league last year, and completely dominate it.  He's still about 2-3 years younger than the average age for the Florida State League.  Get him that confidence out the gate them move him to AA in May or June and hope it continues.

Completely agree with ya there.  That possible FSL rotation looks nice to start the season:  Tyler Jay, Steve Gonsalves, Felix Jorge, Kohl Stewart (maybe).  Huge fan of Gonsalves, cerebral lefty with plus makeup, good command, and three average to plus offerings don't grow on trees.  When we look back on the 2013 draft in a couple years, there's a good chance he's the best of the Twins' class.

So good. Thank you, Seth. Will be watching for a quick promotion to Chattanooga for Mr. Gonsalves.

The cutter is such a tough pitch to hit, much less to lay off of. A slider may move 6 inches whereas a cutter only moves about 2 inches, but that's just enough to miss the good part of the bat and you don't make good contact. I remember telling myself to lay off it, but it's hard to pick up and the next thing you know, you're 0-2 with two weak groundouts back to the pitcher.

 

I've always said that, for me, the two toughest pitches to hit were a good changeup and a good cutter. 

A lefty cutter could be a great pitch, but there's certain guys (like Brian Dozier) that you wouldn't want to throw it to. Guys that can clear their hands quickly could hammer a pitch like that. Of course, you can show a pitch like that down, then toss a change over the outside corner. 

I especially liked how Gonsalves talks about getting that attitude of beating the hitter. If he can learn to reload and attack with every pitch, he can be one of those bulldog pitchers that we all love.

Great interview! Thanks Seth.

Absolutely one,of my favorite and most followed Twins minor leaguers. I remember reading about him before the draft and hoping against hope that somehow he would slide to the Twins in the second round. Absolute steal in the 4th round!

When word finally came out as to why he was suspended his senior ssason, and thus dropped in the draft, reportedly, I have to tell you, I was imore seed with the kid'so loyalty to his teammate. And I love his attitude as a professional. His answers here, what he did in the minors, he reminds me of Berrios.

Not physically, but in makeup. I think he has that hard working, determined, bulldog mentality. And both have shown the ability to move a level...get hit...and then make adjustments in order to pitch as well S, if not better than, the level they just came from.

His length, a 4th pitch, a little more polish-knowledge-command, and maybe 10 more pounds or so of man muscle, he could be wicked!

I too have been super impressed with him since day one.  Was thrilled when the Twins landed him in the 4th.  I started thinking about what the Twins future rotation could end up looking like 3 or 4 years and with guys like Gonsalves and Berrios I think it could be very solid top to bottom.  If none of our current prospects turn out to be a true #1 Ace in the form many expect an "Ace" to be, the Twins could have an entire rotation of #2's and #3's. That sort of reminds me a lot of teams like the Cardinals.  Very good pitching probably no true Ace but 5-6 guys that you can expect to go out and shut down opposing teams for the most part day in and day out.  I'm excited about it.

I too have been super impressed with him since day one.  Was thrilled when the Twins landed him in the 4th.  I started thinking about what the Twins future rotation could end up looking like 3 or 4 years and with guys like Gonsalves and Berrios I think it could be very solid top to bottom.  If none of our current prospects turn out to be a true #1 Ace in the form many expect an "Ace" to be, the Twins could have an entire rotation of #2's and #3's. That sort of reminds me a lot of teams like the Cardinals.  Very good pitching probably no true Ace but 5-6 guys that you can expect to go out and shut down opposing teams for the most part day in and day out.  I'm excited about it.

When word finally came out as to why he was suspended his senior ssason, and thus dropped in the draft, reportedly, I have to tell you, I was imore seed with the kid'so loyalty to his teammate. And I love his attitude as a professional. His answers here, what he did in the minors, he reminds me of Berrios.

Not physically, but in makeup. I think he has that hard working, determined, bulldog mentality. And both have shown the ability to move a level...get hit...and then make adjustments in order to pitch as well S, if not better than, the level they just came from.

His length, a 4th pitch, a little more polish-knowledge-command, and maybe 10 more pounds or so of man muscle, he could be wicked!

Makeup and mentality are just some of those things you can't teach, and Berrios and Gonsalves have it.  If you're impressed by the reading about the two, you'd be even more impressed when talking to these two in person.  Professional but not serious, confident but not cocky; great head on their shoulders and cerebral on top of it.  Future pitchers, not just throwers.  Could make a helluva a #2-3 punch in rotation in two-three years...Just don't push too hard, too soon (at least on Gonsalves).