Victor Gonzalez

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #16 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: A group of Dodgers scouts went to Mexico City in 2012 to evaluate Yasiel Puig and also scouted the local talent while they were down there. They signed six players off that trip, including Puig, Julio Urias and Gonzalez. Gonzalez failed to advance past low Class A his first four seasons and missed most of 2017 and 2018 after having Tommy John surgery. He returned a new pitcher after surgery and vaulted to the majors in 2020, where he posted a 1.33 ERA in 15 relief appearances and won the decisive Game 6 of the World Series.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Gonzalez came up as a starter and has more pitchability and control than a typical reliever. His fastball averages 95 mph and touches 98 mph with late sink and run to his armside. He turned his mid-80s slider from a fringe-average pitch to a dominant, plus-plus offering with late drop that draws lots of chase swings. He also has an average changeup. Gonzalez's fastball and slider dominate both lefthanded and righthanded hitters, and he locates in and out of the zone with plus control.
  
  THE FUTURE: Gonzalez emerged as one of the Dodgers top relievers in 2020. He'll aim to solidify role that in 2021.
• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #30 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Gonzalez failed to advance past low Class A in four seasons before Tommy John surgery wiped out his entire 2017 season and most of 2018. He returned a different pitcher post-surgery and vaulted three levels up to Triple-A in 2019.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Gonzalez got considerably stronger during Tommy John rehab and returned throwing significantly harder. He now boasts a power fastball from the left side that sits 94-96 mph and reaches 98 in relief, and it plays up further with a hint of deception that allows the ball to get on hitters quicker than they expect. Gonzalez's fastball is dominant against lefthanded hitters and plenty effective against righties. His average changeup is his best secondary pitch, and he can land his curveball for an early-count strike. His currently fringy slider is an area of focus. Gonzalez throws everything for strikes with average control and goes after hitters with a fastball-dominant attack.
  
  THE FUTURE: The Dodgers added Gonzalez to their 40-man roster after the season. His ability to get both lefties and righties out makes him a bullpen option in 2020.
• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #20 prospect in 2014
  When the Dodgers worked out a package deal in 2012 with Mexico City, the prize of the deal was Julio Urias, who was sensational in 2013, his first season with the Dodgers. Gonzalez proved to be an intriguing sleeper in his own right. When he was working out for teams in Mexico, Gonzalez threw 85-87 mph with a stocky frame but a good arm action and delivery. His velocity ticked up in 2013 and sat around 87-92 mph, and he had immediate success in the Rookie-level Arizona League as a 17-year-old, with poise beyond his years. Gonzalez throws three pitches that he'll use in any count and commands his fastball to both sides of the plate. His changeup is his most advanced offspeed pitch, flashing above-average at times. He mixes a slurvy curveball in that he will have to either tighten or eventually go with a true slider. Gonzalez has a heavy, 6-foot build that he'll have to watch as he gets older. He doesn't have the high ceiling of Urias, but he's emerged as a solid prospect whose feel for pitching could have him in the low Class A Midwest League as an 18-year-old in 2014.

• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: A group of Dodgers scouts went to Mexico City in 2012 to evaluate Yasiel Puig and also scouted the local talent while they were down there. They signed six players off that trip, including Puig, Julio Urias and Gonzalez. Gonzalez failed to advance past low Class A his first four seasons and missed most of 2017 and 2018 after having Tommy John surgery. He returned a new pitcher after surgery and vaulted to the majors in 2020, where he posted a 1.33 ERA in 15 relief appearances and won the decisive Game 6 of the World Series.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Gonzalez came up as a starter and has more pitchability and control than a typical reliever. His fastball averages 95 mph and touches 98 mph with late sink and run to his armside. He turned his mid-80s slider from a fringe-average pitch to a dominant, plus-plus offering with late drop that draws lots of chase swings. He also has an average changeup. Gonzalez's fastball and slider dominate both lefthanded and righthanded hitters, and he locates in and out of the zone with plus control.
  
  THE FUTURE: Gonzalez emerged as one of the Dodgers top relievers in 2020. He'll aim to solidify role that in 2021.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: A group of Dodgers scouts went to Mexico City in 2012 to evaluate Yasiel Puig and also scouted the local talent while they were down there. They signed six players off that trip, including Puig, Julio Urias and Gonzalez. Gonzalez failed to advance past low Class A his first four seasons and missed most of 2017 and 2018 after having Tommy John surgery. He returned a new pitcher after surgery and vaulted to the majors in 2020, where he posted a 1.33 ERA in 15 relief appearances and won the decisive Game 6 of the World Series.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Gonzalez came up as a starter and has more pitchability and control than a typical reliever. His fastball averages 95 mph and touches 98 mph with late sink and run to his armside. He turned his mid-80s slider from a fringe-average pitch to a dominant, plus-plus offering with late drop that draws lots of chase swings. He also has an average changeup. Gonzalez's fastball and slider dominate both lefthanded and righthanded hitters, and he locates in and out of the zone with plus control.
  
  THE FUTURE: Gonzalez emerged as one of the Dodgers top relievers in 2020. He'll aim to solidify role that in 2021.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Gonzalez failed to advance past low Class A in four seasons before Tommy John surgery wiped out his entire 2017 season and most of 2018. He returned a different pitcher post-surgery and vaulted three levels up to Triple-A in 2019.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Gonzalez got considerably stronger during Tommy John rehab and returned throwing significantly harder. He now boasts a power fastball from the left side that sits 94-96 mph and reaches 98 in relief, and it plays up further with a hint of deception that allows the ball to get on hitters quicker than they expect. Gonzalez's fastball is dominant against lefthanded hitters and plenty effective against righties. His average changeup is his best secondary pitch, and he can land his curveball for an early-count strike. His currently fringy slider is an area of focus. Gonzalez throws everything for strikes with average control and goes after hitters with a fastball-dominant attack.
  
  THE FUTURE: The Dodgers added Gonzalez to their 40-man roster after the season. His ability to get both lefties and righties out makes him a bullpen option in 2020.