While Spring Training is a time for players to carry forward with preparations for the regular season, the Los Angeles Dodgers and other clubs also use the time in camp to evaluate prospects.
On the pitching side, that’s amounted to several young arms making appearances in Cactus League games. Among those to get work in was right-hander Tony Gonsolin, who quietly has risen through the organization’s ranking of prospects.
“Minor League Pitcher of the Year, he has a four-pitch mix, he can throw his secondaries for strikes when he needs to, he’s a tough competitor, he’s very intelligent, and the stuff is real,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts answered when asked for his evaluation of Gonsolin.
“For me to be able to put eyes on him, our coaching staff, was good. The way he carries himself in the clubhouse is very mature.”
Gonsolin is one of the more intriguing arms in Dodgers camp after enjoying a breakout campaign last season. Splitting time with High-A Rancho Cucamonga and Double-A Tulsa, he posted a 2.60 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 155 strikeouts against 42 walks across 128 innings pitched (26 starts).
Gonsolin earned organizational Minor League Pitcher of the Year honors as a result of his success and had the opportunity to visit Dodger Stadium for the first time last September, to which he described as an incredible experience.
While Gonsolin will likely begin the 2019 season in the Minors, a promotion later in the year isn’t out of the realm if he’s able to build off his success and continue making good impressions on his teammates and coaching staff.
