Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 45 | Arm: 65 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50

The Mariners had long been active players on the international market, having signed elite talent like Julio Rodríguez and Noelvi Marte over the years. The 2020-21 signing period, which didn’t start until January 2021 because of the pandemic, was no different, with the organization handing out bonuses of $1.5 million to shortstop Starlin Aguilar and to Gonzalez, who has been the faster mover of the two. He’s followed a pattern in his two years in the United States, conquering a level and earning an in-summer promotion, then scuffling a bit in adjusting to his new environs. He’ll get to show if he’s ready to take the next step in a new organization, heading to the Twins along with Darren Bowen in January’s Jorge Polanco deal.

Gonzalez, who will be 20 for all of the 2024 season, has already established himself as having a knack for making a lot of contact. He struck out in just 16.6 percent of his plate appearances in 2023, though his approach suffered when he moved up to High-A. His power hasn't come as much yet. He did hit 18 homers in 2023, but his exit velocities and other metrics that measure impact did not take the step forward some evaluators had predicted.

Gonzalez’s ability to drive the ball is important because he’s limited to a corner outfield spot, putting more pressure on his bat. He’s a fringy runner now and might slow down as he matures, though he has decent defensive instincts and has an absolute hose for an arm. He has to keep staying on top of his body and conditioning, and he’s young enough to grow into tapping into his power to fit that corner profile well.

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 45 | Arm: 65 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55

The Mariners had long been active players on the international market, having signed elite talent like Julio Rodríguez and Noelvi Marte over the years. The 2020-21 signing period, which didn’t start until January 2021 because of the pandemic, was no different, with the organization handing out bonuses of $1.5 million to shortstop Starlin Aguilar and to Gonzalez, who has been the faster mover of the two. He’s followed a pattern in his two years in the United States, conquering a level and earning an in-summer promotion, then scuffling a bit in adjusting to his new environs. He’ll get to show if he’s ready to take the next step in a new organization, heading to the Twins along with Darren Bowen in January’s Jorge Polanco deal.

Gonzalez, who will be 20 for all of the 2024 season, has already established himself as having a knack for making a lot of contact. He struck out in just 16.6 percent of his plate appearances in 2023, though his approach suffered when he moved up to High-A. His power hasn't come as much yet. He did hit 18 homers in 2023, but his exit velocities and other metrics that measure impact did not take the step forward some evaluators had predicted.

Gonzalez’s ability to drive the ball is important because he’s limited to a corner outfield spot, putting more pressure on his bat. He’s a fringy runner now and might slow down as he matures, though he has decent defensive instincts and has an absolute hose for an arm. He has to keep staying on top of his body and conditioning, and he’s young enough to grow into tapping into his power to fit that corner profile well.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 50

The Mariners used $1.3 million of their $5.3 million bonus pool to sign Gonzalez when the 2020-21 international signing period finally began in January 2021. He wasted no time to show some return on the investment during his debut in the Dominican Summer League, hitting .287/.371/.521 (.892 OPS) with seven homers in 54 games, opening many eyes among Mariners management. 

Touted as an above-average athlete with an above-average glove, the 5-foot-10, 165-pound Gonzalez is strong, compact and well-built despite a somewhat smaller frame. As his numbers in the DSL indicated, the right-handed hitter has plus bat speed. While he’s not the prototypical gangly and projectable outfield prospect, there is plenty of power for him to tap into. That speed and athleticism could give him the chance to play center field, though he’s probably better suited for an outfield corner, especially if he slows down as he physically matures. His power profiles better for right, the position he played most during his pro debut in 2021, and he has the chance to be an athletic middle-of-the-order corner outfield type in the big leagues. And while he’s not as big as Julio Rodríguez, some scouts have suggested that Gonzalez has a similar body build in terms of being bigger and wider. 

The Mariners are excited to see what he and many of their younger international prospects can do when playing in the United States for the first time in 2022. Gonzalez’s bat will likely dictate how quickly he can move up the ladder.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45

When the delayed 2020-21 international signing period began in mid-January of 2021, the Mariners made sure to use nearly all of their bonus pool of over $5.3 million. They handed out eight bonuses of six figures or higher, with two of them, the $1.5 million for infielder Starlin Aguilar and the $1.3 million for Gonzalez, of the seven-figure variety. The 17-year-old outfielder hit the ground running with a strong start during his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League.

Strong and compact, Gonzalez has a lot of tools at his disposal. While he has a somewhat smaller frame, he’s well built and is already standing out with his plus bat speed and strength from the right side of the plate. There’s already a good foundation of strength, and while he’s not the prototypical gangly and projectable outfield prospect, there is plenty of power for him to tap into. He’s an above-average runner and an excellent overall athlete.

That speed and athleticism could give him the chance to play center field, he’s probably better suited for an outfield corner, especially if he slows down as he physically matures. The good news is that he has the power profile for right, the spot he played largely during his pro debut. There’s a way to go for him to reach his considerable ceiling, but he has the chance to be an athletic middle-of-the-order corner outfield type in the big leagues.

Awards

MiLB.com Organization All-Star

Year	Team
2023
2022

Baseball America Low Class A All-Star

Year	Team
2023

CAL Post-Season All-Star

Year	Team
2023

Baseball America Rookie All-Star

Year	Team
2022

DSL Player of the Week

Week	Team
08/01/2021

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	06/27/2024	Cedar Rapids Kernels activated OF Gabriel Gonzalez from the 7-day injured list.
	06/20/2024	Cedar Rapids Kernels sent OF Gabriel Gonzalez on a rehab assignment to FCL Twins.
	06/20/2024	Cedar Rapids Kernels sent OF Gabriel Gonzalez on a rehab assignment to FCL Twins.
	05/08/2024	Cedar Rapids Kernels placed OF Gabriel Gonzalez on the 7-day injured list.
	03/07/2024	Minnesota Twins Prospects activated OF Gabriel Gonzalez.
	03/06/2024	OF Gabriel Gonzalez assigned to Minnesota Twins.
	01/29/2024	Minnesota Twins traded SS Jorge Polanco to Seattle Mariners for RHP Anthony DeSclafani, RHP Justin Topa, OF Gabriel Gonzalez, RHP Darren Bowen and cash.
	01/29/2024	Cedar Rapids Kernels activated OF Gabriel Gonzalez.
	01/29/2024	OF Gabriel Gonzalez roster status changed by Minnesota Twins.
	01/29/2024	OF Gabriel Gonzalez assigned to Cedar Rapids Kernels.
	07/31/2023	Everett AquaSox activated OF Gabriel Gonzalez.
	07/31/2023	Everett AquaSox activated OF Gabriel Gonzalez.
	07/24/2023	Everett AquaSox transferred OF Gabriel Gonzalez to the Development List.
	07/14/2023	OF Gabriel Gonzalez assigned to Everett AquaSox from Modesto Nuts.
	03/05/2023	OF Gabriel Gonzalez roster status changed by Seattle Mariners.
	03/05/2023	OF Gabriel Gonzalez assigned to Seattle Mariners.
	07/31/2022	OF Gabriel Gonzalez assigned to Modesto Nuts from ACL Mariners.
	07/31/2022	Modesto Nuts activated OF Gabriel Gonzalez.
	07/31/2022	Modesto Nuts activated OF Gabriel Gonzalez.
	06/04/2022	OF Gabriel Gonzalez assigned to ACL Mariners from DSL Mariners.
	03/30/2022	OF Gabriel Gonzalez roster status changed by Seattle Mariners.
	03/30/2022	OF Gabriel Gonzalez assigned to Seattle Mariners.
	03/09/2021	OF Gabriel Gonzalez assigned to DSL Mariners .
	02/05/2021	Seattle Mariners signed free agent OF Gabriel Gonzalez to a minor league contract.