Name: Severino Gonzalez

Position: SP
Bats: R
Throws: R
DOB: September 28, 1992
Height: 6′ 1″
Weight: 153
Acquired: Signed as a amatuer free agent out of Panama in April 2011 ($14,000)

Career Synopsis:  Gonzalez spent 2011 and 2012 dominating the Venezuela Summer League.  He displayed excellent control but his fastball showed only mid 80s velocity in 2011 and touched 89 in 2012.  His lines for those two years were 42.2 IP 2.11 ERA 3 BB 29 K (2011) and 92.2 IP 1.65 ERA 6 BB 86 K (2012). The Phillies brought Gonzalez stateside in 2013 and he was supposed to report to Williamsport but a need for pitchers put him in the Clearwater bullpen where he dominated over 11 relief outings.  He was then demoted to Lakewood to be stretched out as a starter and over 4 starts he went 21.1 IP with a 1.69 ERA 3 BB and 31 Ks.  He then returned to Clearwater for 9 starts finishing up with a total line of 75.2 IP 2.02 ERA 19 BB 82 K.

Fastball: Out of the rotation Severino sits 89-91 and touching 92. Out of the bullpen the fastball can touch as high as 94. The fastball itself is straight though he has shown both a cutter and two-seam fastball. He does command the fastball well in the zone. 50

Curveball: Severino’s curveball got the early press, but the pitch is a bit long and loopy. At its best it is an average pitch that can play up with his command. 45/50

Changeup: Severino will show a usable changeup. It lags a little behind the curveball. The hope is that his feel helps the pitch become a weapon, but more likely it is close to average. 45/50

Summary: Out of the rotation Gonzalez pitches with a fringe average to below fastball that sits 88-90.  He can touch 94 in short stints so there may be a little more arm strength.  His control has wavered a bit in the starting role but he is a strike thrower. Despite the incredible numbers there are some risk factors with Gonzalez starting with the fastball velocity.  Additionally the frame and size are not ideal and you worry about him getting good plane on his pitches as well as how he will hold up over a full season.  If he can continue to throw strikes and develop an at least average third pitch he could profile as a #5 starter.

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