Article: Get To Know: Outfielder Roberto Gonzalez

[Seth Stohs]

Throughout the offseason, we have posted several Q&As with Twins minor league players in an attempt to help our readers get to know the people beyond the box scores and stat lines. Today, we have an interview with outfielder Roberto Gonzalez, a young player and a very good athlete.From the 2016 Minnesota Twins Prospect Handbook:

 

“Scouting Report: The Twins selected Nick Gordon with the 5th overall pick in the 2014 draft out of high school in Orlando. The Twins didn’t draft another prep player until the 15th round when they took another great athlete, Roberto Gonzalez, from Orlando. Gordon called Gonzalez a great athlete and when asked if Gonzalez could be a five-tool talent, he immediately responded, “Oh yeah!” In 2014 in the GCL, Gonzalez played just 13 games before breaking his kneecap and missing the rest of the season. He is a hard worker. He has good speed and profiles more in the corner outfield. He is a good outfielder with a strong arm. He has a strong left-handed swing which could develop some power. Former Cardinals outfielder Oscar Taveras, who passed away in October of 2014, was a cousin of Gonzalez.”

Recently, Gonzalez answered several questions for us. Continue reading to learn more about this very talented, young prospect in the Twins system.

 

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Seth Stohs (SS): Growing up in Orlando, who was your favorite team to follow, and who were some of your favorite players?

 

Roberto Gonzalez (RG): Growing up in Orlando was a big change for me, especially moving from New York when I was 7. While I was in Florida, my two favorite players to watch were Ken Griffey and Hanley Ramirez. I never really did have a team, but if I did have a team, it would probably be the Marlins because of Hanley.

 

SS: What were some of your favorite high school memories, from baseball or other activities you were involved in?

 

RG: Some of my favorite high school memories are when I had to travel for all the showcases and all of the workouts. It was a very humbling experience. Probably one of my favorite memories was hitting at Safeco Park and going to watch my very first Minnesota Twins game.

 

SS: Drafted by the Twins in the 15th round in 2014. Is that about where you thought you might be selected coming into the draft?

 

RG: I honestly thought I would go high, but to me it didn't matter. I just wanted to have an opportunity to play and show my talent.

 

SS: What were your thoughts when you heard your name called by the Twins?

 

RG: When I was drafted by the Twins, I had a lot of thoughts going through my head. It was so surreal when you hear your name being called no matter where you are in the rounds. You just have that huge weight lifted off of your shoulders, and I couldn't wait to get started.

 

SS: You spent the end of your 2014 season rehabbing an injury. How frustrating was it for you to have signed and then not be able to play?

 

RG: It was very frustrating. It was also more of a mental game than a physical game. Physically, I knew I would recover, but mentally it discourages you because you start to think how many at-bats you missed and also how many other opportunities you are missing out on.

 

SS: What was the biggest adjustment you had to make, going from high school or amateur ball to the pro game? On or off the field?

 

RG: There weren't any major adjustments, just probably being away from home for a long period of time without going back was the biggest adjustment I had to make.

 

SS: How would you describe yourself as a player? What are your strengths at this time?

 

RG: I would describe myself as a little of an undeveloped player. I have all the tools, I just need to put it together. My biggest strength is being able to put the ball in play.

 

SS: What are the things that you feel you need to improve over the offseason and going forward?

 

RG: There's not just one thing I need to improve. I need to improve on everything as a whole to continue to become a better baseball player.

 

SS: How has your offseason been? (Have you started your baseball training, but also what do you enjoy doing away from the game of baseball?)

 

RG: I never really had an offseason. Just because the game is over doesn't mean I don't need to continue working hard but the time I do spend off I spend it with family and my girlfriend enjoying the time that I do get to spend with them when I am home.

 

SS: Can you talk a little bit about Oscar Taveras and the relationship the two of you had, and how he has impacted you on and off the field?

 

RG: Oscar was like a role model to me. Whenever I had questions about the game or life in general, he was always there for me. Practicing with him, and just being around him, made me want to do so much better. Even if he is not here, I still can feel him here with me every step of the way.

 

SS: Who are some of the coaches and others who have helped you get to this point in your career?

 

RG: Mostly my parents got me to where I am. Also my neighbor Frank Fields, who gave me the best opportunity to meet Ken Griffey Jr. and learn from his ways as well.

 

SS: Favorite Baseball Movie?

 

RG: My favorite baseball movie would have to be The Sandlot with Squints and Wendy Peffercorn! That was one of my favorite parts of the movie.

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In a follow up, Roberto insists that he has not tried Squints’ move on Wendy Peffercorn. Gonzalez is likely to remain in extended spring training, but he should move up to Elizabethton when their season starts in June.

 

Thank you very much to Roberto Gonzalez for taking time to answer our questions. Please feel free to comment or ask questions below.

 

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[RaymondLuxuryYacht]

Very nice interview!  Looking forward to following his progress.

[Bob Sacamento]

Berto is a great guy, you can really tell he loves playing the game.  I know that might seem like an obvious statement but watching him in GCL and Instructs, you could tell he was having fun.  If it wasn't for a pretty bad knee injury he'd be further up the ladder.

 

He described himself pretty well as an "undeveloped player", he does have all the tools and is athletic enough that it's not hard to see him putting it all together.  His approach at the plate is advanced, working deep into counts which is seen in his BB/PA (10%) but also K/PA (24%).  His swing is pretty but can get a little long, it has a natural loft to it.  His power has to improve, and it should, but there was next to nothing of extrabases this year.  His arm is strong and accurate which puts him in rightfield now.  The wheels are still there even after his leg injury.

 

Here is some compilation at bat videos I took of him this summer:

 

 

6/27/15   https://youtu.be/rCNT7jUY23U

7/10/15  https://youtu.be/D9Xu78AOE4k

7/11/15  https://youtu.be/_fZSa4lOT7U