5 prospects the Boston Red Sox need to avoid trading this offseason
By Hunter Noll
Wikelman Gonzalez - SP
Wikelman Gonzalez is an intriguing prospect. If it wasn't for Yordanny Monegro, I'd say Gonzalez has the best curveball from a prospect I've seen in years. He started the year slow but ended up making his way to Double-A and dominating there (even being part of a no-hitter).
Gonzalez features a filthy pitch mix that helps him rack up strikeouts. He looked untouchable for a large portion of the season. The only real setback with him at the moment is the uncertainty with his control.
Gonzalez posted a 3.96 ERA, .190 BAA, and 1.31 WHIP between High-A and Double-A. The right-handed pitcher struck out 168 batters compared to 70 walks in 111 1/3 innings. His numbers are even better if you don't count that miserable first month he had.
Gonzalez was elite in Double-A (2.42 ERA, .162 BAA, and 1.14 WHIP).
Perales has the highest ceiling. Monegro is the most electric. But Gonzalez is a beautiful mix of both. And why does he get the nod over Monegro on this list? Gonzalez has already proven himself in Double-A.
That experience goes a long way. Does it make him a better trade chip? Absolutely. But it also makes him more valuable to the future of the Red Sox.
See, the reason he's more valuable as a trade chip is because he's proven that he can dominate in Double-A. It's hard to take a pitcher's numbers seriously in the lower levels. Gonzalez has shown he can make advanced hitters look foolish.
And what's something that people have argued is a weakness in the Boston farm system? Pitching that's close to the Major Leagues. We've already seen Gonzalez terrorize Double-A for 48 1/3 innings. Not only will we see him in Triple-A, but it's not unrealistic that he could find his way to the Majors in 2024.
Brayan Bello is a fantastic long-term piece for a pitching rotation. The Red Sox could be adding Wikelman Gonzalez to the mix soon.