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Impressive year lands reliever Gonzalez on 40-man
- Updated: November 18, 2016
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Rockies right-handed pitching prospect Rayan Gonzalez can stop conversations with his 96 mph cut fastball and 12-to-6 curveball.
Last week, at an Arizona Fall League game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, new Rockies manager Bud Black paused his conversation right after Gonzalez’s first pitch in his relief outing for the Salt River Rafters. Zach Wilson, Colorado’s senior player development director, turned to Black, nodded his head and offered a “told-you-so” grin.
Gonzalez demonstrated improved control at Double-A Hartford (2-2, 3.12 ERA in 46 games) and again in the AFL (12 strikeouts against two walks in 11 2/3 innings, to go along with a 2.31 ERA).
The 26-year-old soon could be sparking big league conversations.
On Friday, the Rockies placed him on their 40-man Major League roster, which makes him eligible to later be placed on the 25-man Major League active roster. He’ll appear in his first Major League Spring Training in 2017.
• 40-man roster
The Rockies drafted Gonzalez, a native of Arecibo, Puerto Rico, in the 21st round of the 2012 Draft out of Bethune-Cookman University. The wait has been long for Gonzalez, who was drafted by the Athletics in the 18th round in 2011 but decided to return to …
