Minnesota Twins: Stephen Gonsalves is on his way

Updated prospect lists will be slowly trickling out over the next few weeks and the Minnesota Twins will be well represented.

Stephen Gonsalves is among the Minnesota Twins best pitching prospects. MLB Pipelines ranked him number four in the Twins system and number 72 in the Top-100. The sky is the limit for Gonsalves and he has been showing his potential during his recent starts.

Gonsalves has had his ups and downs throughout his adjustment to Triple-A. However, he has really found something on the mound recently and this is the perfect time for it to happen. If the Twins continue to fade from the playoff picture, Gonsalves is currently earning an opportunity to make his MLB debut during this season.

The southpaw throws four average or better pitches and has solid control. His changeup is his money pitch and will serve him well in the big leagues. Gonsalves has been impressive at every level of the Minnesota Twins Minor League system and soon Twins fans will see him at Target Field.

Looking at his numbers

Gonsalves has a 3.34 ERA with 70 innings pitched through 14 starts during his time in Triple-A. However, he allows an alarming 5.9 walks per nine innings. That is something that Gonsalves will need to improve upon before he gets his MLB chance.

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He has always posted solid strikeout numbers and averages a respectable 8.7 strikeouts per nine innings with Rochester. Gonsalves has been solid throughout the majority of the 2018 season. However, his recent performance has been outstanding and opening eyes within the organization.

The 24-year-old has a 0.54 ERA while allowing only two earned runs during his last six starts. He has 33 1/3 innings pitched with 27 strikeouts while opponents are hitting only .133 against him during that span.

However, Gonsalves also has 21 walks during that same span and hasn’t shown a lot of improvement. I can remember another left-handed pitching prospect who couldn’t figure out how to limit walks in the Minors recently. That pitcher’s name is Josh Hader and he has been one of the most dominant relievers over that last few decades during this season.

However, Gonsalves is no Hader and his future is not in the bullpen. He has a well-developed pitching repertoire and the make-up to have success in the Majors.

His chance with the Twins will come soon and he has earned it. Minnesota has the chance to build an above-average rotation heading into the future around José Berríos, Fernando Romero, Kyle Gibson, and Gonsalves.

Next: Is Brian Dozier on the move?

Admittedly I say this a lot, but the Twins future truly is as bright as any team in MLB. Gonsalves figures to be a major piece to that future puzzle. That future could begin as early as September.