Born01/31/1995 in Santa Barbara Del Zulia, Venezuela
Died12/31/2020 in Venezuela
ProfileHt.: 6'3" / Wt.: 190 / Bats: R / Throws: R
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
Gonzalez at one time had the helium to join Alex Reyes and Sandy Alcantara as Latin American flamethrowers rising quickly through the system, but it hasn't quite worked out that way. Various injuries have limited him every year, and the 79 innings he threw at high Class A Palm Beach in 2017 were a career high. Gonzalez can bring the heat with a mid-90s fastball that touches 97 mph as a starter, and he has a swing-and-miss, above-average curveball he deploys as his main secondary. He has a good pitcher's body and is athletic, but he has struggled with below-average control at every stop. Gonzalez began relieving for the first time at the end of the 2017 season with Palm Beach and struck out eight in 3.1 innings. Gonzalez's below-average control and lack of durability make the bullpen his likely future home. He will head to Double-A Springfield in 2018.
The Cardinals get the benefit of the doubt with pitchers such as Gonzalez, who has a more wellrounded repertoire than his higher-ranked teammates from the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League team. Unlike Sandy Alcantara and Junior Fernandez, Gonzalez has not pushed his heater up to triple-digits, but his fastball is a plus pitch nonetheless. He throws plenty of strikes with his heater from a good downhill plane, which is important because his fastball lacks much life. Gonzalez ranked fourth in the GCL with 55 strikeouts and among the leaders in lowest walk rate with 2.6 per nine innings. He has a chance to throw a plus curveball with tight spin and proper shape, and he has a feel for throwing the pitch for strikes or burying it as a chase pitch. His changeup is behind his curve, but he's shown some aptitude for the pitch. Gonzalez has moved slowly to this point, but will probably jump to low Class A Peoria in 2016.
Career Transactions
Gwinnett Stripers RHP Derian Gonzalez died, December 31, 2020.
Atlanta Braves signed free agent RHP Derian Gonzalez to a minor league contract.
RHP Derian Gonzalez assigned to Gwinnett Stripers.
RHP Derian Gonzalez assigned to Cardenales de Lara.
RHP Derian Gonzalez elected free agency.
Memphis Redbirds activated RHP Derian Gonzalez from the 60-day injured list.
RHP Derian Gonzalez assigned to Memphis Redbirds from Cardinals Extended Spring Training.
RHP Derian Gonzalez assigned to Cardinals Extended Spring Training from Memphis Redbirds.
St. Louis Cardinals sent RHP Derian Gonzalez outright to Memphis Redbirds.
St. Louis Cardinals designated RHP Derian Gonzalez for assignment.
St. Louis Cardinals recalled RHP Derian Gonzalez from Springfield Cardinals.
RHP Derian Gonzalez assigned to Springfield Cardinals from Memphis Redbirds.
Memphis Redbirds sent RHP Derian Gonzalez on a rehab assignment to GCL Cardinals.
Memphis Redbirds placed RHP Derian Gonzalez on the 7-day disabled list.
RHP Derian Gonzalez assigned to Memphis Redbirds from Springfield Cardinals.
St. Louis Cardinals optioned RHP Derian Gonzalez to Springfield Cardinals.
St. Louis Cardinals selected the contract of Derian Gonzalez from Palm Beach Cardinals.
Palm Beach Cardinals activated RHP Derian Gonzalez from the 7-day disabled list.
sent RHP Derian Gonzalez on a rehab assignment to GCL Cardinals.
Palm Beach Cardinals placed RHP Derian Gonzalez on the 7-day disabled list.
RHP Derian Gonzalez assigned to Palm Beach Cardinals from Peoria Chiefs.
Peoria Chiefs activated RHP Derian Gonzalez from the 7-day disabled list.
RHP Derian Gonzalez assigned to MID West Division All-Stars.
Peoria Chiefs placed RHP Derian Gonzalez on the 7-day disabled list. Shoulder injury.
RHP Derian Gonzalez assigned to Peoria Chiefs from GCL Cardinals.
RHP Derian Gonzalez assigned to GCL Cardinals.
RHP Derian Gonzalez assigned to DSL NL All-Stars.
St. Louis Cardinals signed free agent RHP Derian Gonzalez to a minor league contract.
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