Boston Red Sox High-A pitching prospect Wikelman Gonzalez
Remember when everyone thought Wikelman Gonzalez's name was "Wilkelman"? That was a weird time. The Boston Red Sox prospect is more than just a name, though.
Gonzalez made his Low-A debut at the end of the 2021 season. With four dominant outings, he immediately found himself on everyone's radar. Then 2022 started phenomenally. The right-handed pitcher gave up one earned run over 15 2/3 innings in April, striking out 20 batters.
However, following April, he hit a rough patch. Gonzalez had a handful of bad outings that led to him entering August with a 5.23 ERA in Low-A.
Three impressive starts in a row to start the month got Gonzalez back on track. It also led to a promotion to High-A.
The Venezuela product made four starts with the Greenville Drive to finish the year. He posted an impressive 2.65 ERA, .213 BAA, 1.12 WHIP, and 23 strikeouts over 17 innings.
Gonzalez will start the season in High-A. He'll be 21 for the entire year and showed improvements as 2022 moved on. What makes him so exciting is his pitching repertoire.
Gonzalez possesses three potentially elite pitches, his mid-to-high-90s fastball, a devastatingly foolish changeup, and a filthy curveball. Those three pitches alone could take Gonzalez far. There won't be anything holding him back if he can develop his slider and his command.
Wikelman Gonzalez is one of the best pitching prospects in the Boston Red Sox system. Following a fantastic end to his 2022 season, he's poised for a breakout year in 2023.