TD Midseason Top Prospects: #6 Stephen Gonsalves

Age: 20

2015 Stats (A/A+): 64 IP, 7-1, 1.83 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 81/21 K/BB

ETA: 2018

2015 Preseason Ranking: 13

What's To Like

There was a lot to like about Gonsalves as a dominating high school hurler in Southern California, to the point that many projected him as a first- or second-round pick in the 2013 draft, but he dropped to the fourth mostly due to off-the-field issues. The Twins selected him 110th overall and enticed him to forego a scholarship offer at the University of San Diego with a $700,000 signing bonus that was nearly $250K over slot.

Since signing, Gonsalves has performed very much like a first-round talent deserving of that lucrative bonus. By the end of his first full pro season last year, he was at Low-A Cedar Rapids and pitching well. He started there again this year and did more than pitch well, with some of the most ridiculous numbers you'll see: In nine starts for the Kernels, he went 6-1 with a 1.15 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 77-to-15 K/BB ratio over 55 innings. His 12.6 K/9 rate led the entire organization.

Gonsalves was particularly untouchable over his last three starts at Cedar Rapids, allowing zero earned runs and six hits over 19 innings with 30 strikeouts, and leaving the Twins with little choice but to promote him to the Florida State League, where he became one of just 10 players aged 20 or younger to throw a pitch.

What's Left To Work On

Since joining the Ft. Myers Miracle, Gonsalves has experienced the first real adversity of his pro career, failing to demonstrate the same superiority that was regularly on display in the Midwest League. What can't be emphasized enough, though, is the age and experience differential at this level of competition. The average player in the FSL is 23 years old; Gonsalves doesn't turn 21 until next month.

He needs to make adjustments, and refine his control against more advanced hitters (he has issued six walks over nine innings in his first two starts), but there's little reason to think he can't do so given his ability and his history.

What's Next

Gonsalves will almost surely finish out this season at Ft. Myers, and unless he finishes extremely strong he seems likely to start there again in 2016. If he can reach Double-A by the end of next year, at which point he'll be 22, that would be a good scenario, putting him on track to reach the majors potentially in 2017 but more likely in 2018.

That, of course, is if everything goes to plan and he avoids injury. Big "ifs," and Gonsalves has a long ways to go, which is why excitement should still be tempered for the time being. But right now, he's showing all the signs of developing into a big, overpowering lefty starter.

TD Top Prospect #10 - Alex Meyer

TD Top Prospect #9 - Max Kepler

TD Top Prospect #8 - Eddie Rosario

TD Top Prospect #7 - Nick Gordon

Interested in learning more about the Minnesota Twins' top prospects? Check out our comprehensive top prospects list that includes up-to-date stats, articles and videos about every prospect, scouting reports, and more!