Stephen Gonsalves

[Boone]

I'm no smarty pants computer guy, but I assume the slow loading is probably due to high traffic due to the trade deadline. It was also slow on draft day.

 

The GB% is a red flag, though I like the K%. Of course in short season league the K% is high for most guys. We'll see if that GB% improves once more guys start putting the ball in play. Or hopefully not.

 

I wouldn't worry about yesterday's 0GB:3FB ratio. Gonsalves currently has a 1.56 GB/FB ratio. While that's not stellar, it's pretty good, and would certainly qualify him at least as a moderate GB pitcher (albeit in a very small sample size).

 

Also, each of his previous appearance (there have been 4) have had at least a 1.50 GB:FB ratio.

[DAM DC Twins Fans]

I'm no smarty pants computer guy, but I assume the slow loading is probably due to high traffic due to the trade deadline. It was also slow on draft day.

 

Thanks--good point on trade deadline day...

[Monkeypaws]

How fast has be been on the gun?

[Jeremy Nygaard]

Gonsalves just tweeted that tomorrow he'll be "one step closer" to Target Field. Flying from FM to Elizabethton. Aggressive promotion. I like it!

[cmb0252]

Gonsalves just tweeted that tomorrow he'll be "one step closer" to Target Field. Flying from FM to Elizabethton. Aggressive promotion. I like it!

 

Great news! A lot of us thought he was a steal when we drafted him and he has looked great so far. The Twins system lacks high upside LH pitching like Gonsalves.

[Monkeypaws]

Gonsalves just tweeted that tomorrow he'll be "one step closer" to Target Field. Flying from FM to Elizabethton. Aggressive promotion. I like it!

 

That is interesting, all the more so because Stewart is staying in Florida, no?

[cmb0252]

That is interesting, all the more so because Stewart is staying in Florida, no?

 

Stewart cut his foot and hasn't pitched in a week so. He is a start or two behind Gonsalves.

[SoCal Twin]

We're very excited for Stephens early success. He's looking forward to the next test. Very excited we get to listen to the games on the computer:)) Go Elizabethon!!

[DAM DC Twins Fans]

Gonsalves just tweeted that tomorrow he'll be "one step closer" to Target Field. Flying from FM to Elizabethton. Aggressive promotion. I like it!

 

I don't "tweet"--as a soon-to-be grandfather (my first grandchild--a boy is due any day) I am too old to adapt quickly to new technology...

 

I tried MILB.com and Twins sites--could not find confirmation--but assume it is true and will be posted soon enough. Good for Stephen who is more and more looking like a steal in the draft. Will be checking E-Town boxscores looking for him. (Good news since my other "adopt a prospect" Brett Lee has joined Kohl Stewart on the 7 day DL.

[Monkeypaws]

I don't "tweet"--as a soon-to-be grandfather (my first grandchild--a boy is due any day) I am too old to adapt quickly to new technology...

 

I tried MILB.com and Twins sites--could not find confirmation--but assume it is true and will be posted soon enough. Good for Stephen who is more and more looking like a steal in the draft. Will be checking E-Town boxscores looking for him. (Good news since my other "adopt a prospect" Brett Lee has joined Kohl Stewart on the 7 day DL.

 

Words of wisdom - thank goodness for pot-smoking friends to lie for.

[DAM DC Twins Fans]

[quote=DAM DC Twins Fans;147845

I tried MILB.com and Twins sites--could not find confirmation--but assume it is true and will be posted soon enough. Good for Stephen who is more and more looking like a steal in the draft. Will be checking E-Town boxscores looking for him.

 

Transaction posted this morning (8/4) on Appy League website...

[Seth Stohs]

According to Brandon Warne, via Twitter:

 

The Twins promoted Stephen Gonsalves to Elizabethton, but he strained a hamstring while running in the outfield in first day w/ club.

[drjim]

I like his tweet after the performance today:

 

5innings 1run 4hits 7ks no walks and got the win. Making it known that everyone that passed me made a mistake.

[Monkeypaws]

I like his tweet after the performance today:

 

Well, swagger is the word.

[Twins Daily Admin]

I like his tweet after the performance today:

 

Um, you had an OK start in rookie league kid. Might want to calm down a bit. I'd love to see you move quickly, but you had better be able to nurture that chip on your shoulder for several more year.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Um, you had an OK start in rookie league kid. Might want to calm down a bit. I'd love to see you move quickly, but you had better be able to nurture that chip on your shoulder for several more year.

 

5 innings, 1 run, 7Ks, 4 hits? What's your definition of good? These rookie league guys don't typically go more than 4/5 innings as they restrict the pitch count more...

[twinsnorth49]

Um, you had an OK start in rookie league kid. Might want to calm down a bit. I'd love to see you move quickly, but you had better be able to nurture that chip on your shoulder for several more year.

 

Yeah, best not to show some confidence when your, like, 19 and all.

[cmathewson]

Question: did Stewart also get promoted to E-ton? It would really be something if Stephen actually got promoted before the consensus best high school pitcher in the country. Also, I thought the Twins wanted to keep them together because of their friendship.

[drjim]

Question: did Stewart also get promoted to E-ton? It would really be something if Stephen actually got promoted before the consensus best high school pitcher in the country. Also, I thought the Twins wanted to keep them together because of their friendship.

 

DL time probably set Stewart back. I wouldn't be surprised if both end up in Cedar Rapids.

[Dman]

There is a long way to go but I think Stephen has it right. He should never have dropped to the 4th round given his potential. Giving teams that passed on him the first three rounds something to think about (insert middle finger here) with his play thus far, Priceless.

 

Confidence is a good thing. Over confidence is bad because you don't adapt and change. I think this is just confidence talking so far and I am happy he has it.

[DAM DC Twins Fans]

Um, you had an OK start in rookie league kid. Might want to calm down a bit. I'd love to see you move quickly, but you had better be able to nurture that chip on your shoulder for several more year.

 

I agree--Stephen will hit the proverbial bump in the road--either this year (or next year at Cedar Rapids)--it happened to Sano at New Britain, to an extent it happened to Buxton. Yes, keep the chip on your shoulder, but don't get too cocky. By the way, I expect both Stephen and Stewart to be at Cedar Rapids next year.

[DAM DC Twins Fans]

Stephen Gonsalves Update 6:

 

First off--I don't tweet as a soon-to-be grandpa who is on Medicare--I don't adapt well to technology (:-). So thanks to whomever posted Stephen's tweet (yes a bit cocky, but good to see the attitude).

 

Second--the bad news--and it needs to be said--it may be only a little thing--Stephen's ground ball to fly ball ratio has taken a hit in his last two (otherwise outstanding) starts. Yesterday, Stephen got only 4 ground outs vs. 3 flies. For his year (and career) he has 18 ground outs to 10 fly outs. For the first time that ratio is under 2/1 and trending down. It may mean nothing. It may mean a future problem.

 

Now to Stephens Appy League debut. He pitched 5 innings (the first time over 3 in his career). He gave up one run--it was earned. He also gave up 4 hits. He got 7Ks and issued no walks. A truly outstanding Appy League debut and another sign that the Twins may have gotten a steal in the draft. The true test will come in 2014 (presumably at Cedar Rapids).

 

For the year (and his Twins career)--Stephen has made 3 starts in 6 appearances totaling 19.1 IP. He has given up 2 runs (both earned) 12 hits, walked 7 and struck out 25. That gives him a WHIP of almost exactly 1.0; an outstanding K/BB ratio of 3.57 and an ERA of 0.93. Yes, these ratios make him a steal in the 4th round so far!!

[Pitz]

Stephen Gonsalves Update 6:

 

Second--the bad news--and it needs to be said--it may be only a little thing--Stephen's ground ball to fly ball ratio has taken a hit in his last two (otherwise outstanding) starts. Yesterday, Stephen got only 4 ground outs vs. 3 flies. For his year (and career) he has 18 ground outs to 10 fly outs. For the first time that ratio is under 2/1 and trending down. It may mean nothing. It may mean a future problem.

 

I would lean more toward the may mean nothing, part. At least at this point, it is far too small of a sample to really mean anything. I do appreciate your updates and the in depth information about groundouts and what not. It is very informative so thank you.

 

I looked at Stephen's game logs on baseball reference - which breaks down his ground balls, fly balls etc (this includes all balls put in play). Based on that info, Stephen's ground ball % would be 52.3% which would rank him in the top ten of major league pitchers, but of course he wouldn't qualify as again it is far too small of a sample.

 

All of that is to say that at this point, Stephen has been a fantastic pitcher. He's missing bats and inducing groundballs. Hopefully, he'll continue to have success as he faces tougher competition.

[TwinsFan1000]

Thanks for the clarification. After he signed, the text I got was that other scouts were "stunned" he signed so early, when they Twins weren't concerned about getting it done. I thought he was a steal on draft day and pairing him with Stewart is only going to help both of them. Excited to have him in the system and excited to hear from his dad. Keep us posted!

 

I just read how well Stephen is doing in the minors in the paper and I thought I would explore and see what everyone is saying about him and I once again ran into the Cathedral suspension story on this page. I have heard a much different story about the Cathedral's incident in North Carolina from those who were directly involved (those who were suspended). I know its in the past and everyone has moved on but I don't think its fair to cover up for the "superstar" of the team. The story I was told was that there was beer drinking not one but two nights and those involved were caught on the second night. The 4 kids who made the poor decision to use marijuana, went into the woods, smoked the substance, and then went back inside their room to hangout and watch TV. After 30 minutes or so an assistant coach knocked on their door because they were alerted by loud banging noises that came from down the hall and they saw that their room light was on and it was late. The 4 kids admitted to their wrong doing and even told the coaches that there was drinking by most of the team as well. They were immediately suspended from the team and from school until their review boards the following week. In those review boards each told administrators what happened on the trip, even down to the minor details. They didn't feel comfortable "ratting out their teammates" and didnt give names but said the all but 4 or 5 players (Gonsalves wasn't one of those 4 or 5 players) drank on the trip and added that they were the only 4 who made the poor choice to use marijuana. Those kids were suspended for the remainder of the school year and were dismissed from the team. I have also heard that Gonsalves was heavily intoxicated both nights and the majority of the drinking the 2nd night was in his room. Soon after the review boards of the players that were initially caught on the trip every player was called in and questioned by administration. Almost everyone who was called in after the inital 4 review boards that drank beer those 2 nights lied about what they did and effectively "got away with it." Some of the guys admitted to drinking and were given one or two week suspensions from school and from the team. Gonsalves lied about drinking on both nights and lied about seeing teammates drinking. He was caught in his lie and was suspended from the team for 30 days. So much for ZERO tolerance. Him missing playing time is what caused him to lose draft stock. personally, I think dishonesty is worse than the acts themselves. All in all I think the punishments were too severe for all parties considering they are 17 and 18 year old High School Baseball players with little or no adult or coach supervision on the trip. I think it was about time that the cover be lifted on this story and the truth come out, not that I think the offenses were anything but minor anyways. The last time I talked to the players they have moved on from the incident and are ready for another year of school/baseball/life and I am glad to see Stephen is excelling and on his way up in the system.

[diehardtwinsfan]

5innings 1run 4hits 7ks no walks and got the win. Making it known that everyone that passed me made a mistake.

 

 

 

 

I like his tweet after the performance today:

 

Someone needs to tweet him Law's writeup. That ought to keep him going for a couple of years.

[diehardtwinsfan]

I just read how well Stephen is doing in the minors in the paper and I thought I would explore and see what everyone is saying about him and I once again ran into the Cathedral suspension story on this page. I have heard a much different story about the Cathedral's incident in North Carolina from those who were directly involved (those who were suspended). I know its in the past and everyone has moved on but I don't think its fair to cover up for the "superstar" of the team. The story I was told was that there was beer drinking not one but two nights and those involved were caught on the second night. The 4 kids who made the poor decision to use marijuana, went into the woods, smoked the substance, and then went back inside their room to hangout and watch TV. After 30 minutes or so an assistant coach knocked on their door because they were alerted by loud banging noises that came from down the hall and they saw that their room light was on and it was late. The 4 kids admitted to their wrong doing and even told the coaches that there was drinking by most of the team as well. They were immediately suspended from the team and from school until their review boards the following week. In those review boards each told administrators what happened on the trip, even down to the minor details. They didn't feel comfortable "ratting out their teammates" and didnt give names but said the all but 4 or 5 players (Gonsalves wasn't one of those 4 or 5 players) drank on the trip and added that they were the only 4 who made the poor choice to use marijuana. Those kids were suspended for the remainder of the school year and were dismissed from the team. I have also heard that Gonsalves was heavily intoxicated both nights and the majority of the drinking the 2nd night was in his room. Soon after the review boards of the players that were initially caught on the trip every player was called in and questioned by administration. Almost everyone who was called in after the inital 4 review boards that drank beer those 2 nights lied about what they did and effectively "got away with it." Some of the guys admitted to drinking and were given one or two week suspensions from school and from the team. Gonsalves lied about drinking on both nights and lied about seeing teammates drinking. He was caught in his lie and was suspended from the team for 30 days. So much for ZERO tolerance. Him missing playing time is what caused him to lose draft stock. personally, I think dishonesty is worse than the acts themselves. All in all I think the punishments were too severe for all parties considering they are 17 and 18 year old High School Baseball players with little or no adult or coach supervision on the trip. I think it was about time that the cover be lifted on this story and the truth come out, not that I think the offenses were anything but minor anyways. The last time I talked to the players they have moved on from the incident and are ready for another year of school/baseball/life and I am glad to see Stephen is excelling and on his way up in the system.

 

The story on this page seems to contradict what you are saying here (that he wasn't drinking). I get it's underage and all, but it's beer. I cannot stand the stuff personally, but I can tell you from personal experience that baseball players like their beer (more so than most college students IMHO) and they pretty much all do the underage drinking thing. We can debate right from wrong here, but if this is his character flaw, it is the same flaw that I suspect 90% of the Twins' minor league system has (and everyone else for that matter too).

 

That said, if this is what made him fall. Great pick by the Twins.

[DAM DC Twins Fans]

Stephen Gonsalves Update 7

 

Stephen made his 7th 2013 (and career) appearance tonight. It was his 4th start and his second start for E-Town. He only went 4 innings--I am assuming the Twins minor league pitching gurus are limiting him considering it is his professional debut and he did pitch HS ball this spring.

 

Stephen went 4 innings and will not be involved in the decision. As I type, the game is in the 7th inning and tied 1-1. Stephen pitched well--4IP, no runs, 3 hits, walked 2 and struck out 5. He has a unbelievable 30Ks in 23.1 IP for the 2013 season. The bad news--he continued his downward trend in ground/fly ratio (for 3rd straight game). He got only one ground out (and 2 fly outs). He also had a balk, a WP and a throwing error. All 3 in one game is not good. Maybe it suggests Stephen is only human. Still he had a great night--and still looks like a steal in the 4th round. Again the true test comes next year at Perfect Game Field (Cedar Rapids) for both him and Kohl.

 

For 2013 Stephen has pitched 23.1 innings, given up 2 runs (both earned) 15 hits, 9BB and gotten the 30Ks. His ground to fly ratio is still good (but trending down) 19/12 or 1.58 grounders/fly. His K/BB ratio is better than 3/1. His WHIP is 1.03. His ERA is less than 1 (0.77).

[Larsbars08]

Gonsalves has looked very good. Looking like an excellent 4th round pick. It's good that he's dominating at the level, but it will be interesting to see how he does in full season ball next year.

 

On another note, can we stop worrying about what he may or may not have done as a high school senior. I really don't care what happened. God knows, I did stupid stuff, and I'm sure pretty much everyone else here is in the same boat.

[Mr. Brooks]

Gonsalves has looked very good. Looking like an excellent 4th round pick. It's good that he's dominating at the level, but it will be interesting to see how he does in full season ball next year.

 

On another note, can we stop worrying about what he may or may not have done as a high school senior. I really don't care what happened. God knows, I did stupid stuff, and I'm sure pretty much everyone else here is in the same boat.

 

Agreed. That situation may have been an issue at one point, but it seems like a completely non issue now.

He is a professional now, and should be expected to act like one, and should be given a clean slate to do so.

 

I'm excited to have him in our system, and will be following him closely.

[DAM DC Twins Fans]

Stephen Gonsalves Update #8

 

Stephen made his third E-town start tonight. He was on the wrong end of a pitching duel and took his first professional loss as E-town dropped a 2-0 game. The E-town offense managed a grand total of 3 hits. For 2013 and his career Stephen is 2-1. Getting all the bad news out of the way--Stephen continued his bad ground/fly trend by getting only two ground outs to 3 fly outs. As some of you have expressed--this is minor--but it has been a trend at E-town--we shall see if it continues next year in Cedar Rapids where he will face better hitters (presumably).

 

The good news--the rest of his outing. Stephen pitched 5 innings--he struck out 9. He has 39Ks in 28.1 IP which is fantastic. In the 5 innings, he gave up 1 run (earned) 3 hits and walked 2. That is better numbers than almost anybody has put up with the Twins in any game all year. He definitely shows top of the rotation potential.

 

For the year (combining GCL and E-town) Stephen is 2-1 with an ERA of 0.95. (He has given up only 3 runs--all earned--in the 28.1 IP) His K/BB ratio is 39/11 or 3.55 Ks for every walk. His WHIP is 1.023. His ground/fly ratio (even with a downward trend at E-town) is 1.4 grounders to fly outs. These are all pretty DAM good if not outstanding. Still looking like a steal in the draft.