| Chi Chi González | |
|---|---|
_(photo_by_Jeff_Warrington).jpg) Gonzalez pitching for the Colorado Rockies 2019 spring training | |
| Free agent | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: January 15, 1992 Delray Beach, Florida, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| May 30, 2015, for the Texas Rangers | |
| MLB statistics (through 2023 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 9–24 |
| Earned run average | 5.68 |
| Strikeouts | 173 |
| Teams | |
Alexander "Chi Chi" González (born January 15, 1992) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers, Colorado Rockies, Minnesota Twins, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Yankees and Miami Marlins. González goes by Chi Chi, a nickname given to him by his grandfather.[1]
Gonzalez attended Boca Raton Community High School in Boca Raton, Florida, and played for the school's baseball team as a pitcher and third baseman.[2] The Baltimore Orioles selected Gonzalez in the 11th round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft.[3] Rather than sign with the Orioles, Gonzalez attended Oral Roberts University, where he played college baseball for the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles.[4] In 2012, he played collegiate summer baseball in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox.[5]
The Texas Rangers selected Gonzalez in the first round, with the 23rd overall selection, of the 2013 Major League Baseball draft.[6][7][8] He made his professional debut with the Spokane Indians and also played for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Prior to the 2014 season, Baseball Prospectus rated Gonzalez as the 70th best prospect in baseball.[9] He started the season with Myrtle Beach before being promoted to the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders.[10] He started 2015 with the Triple-A Round Rock Express.[11][12]
Gonzalez was called up to the majors for the first time on May 30, 2015, and made his major league debut that day. He faced the veteran lineup of the Boston Red Sox and began the game pitching 5+2⁄3 innings without surrendering a hit. It was the longest no-hit stretch to begin a career for a Rangers pitcher since 1992.[13] On June 5, 2015, Gonzalez threw a complete-game shutout against the Kansas City Royals. It was his first career complete game.[14] Gonzalez was optioned down to Triple-A Round Rock July 4, 2015. Gonzalez was diagnosed with a partial tear to the UCL in spring training of 2017. He was declared to need Tommy John surgery, ending his 2017 season plus the whole 2018 season. On November 2, 2018, Gonzalez elected free agency.[15]
On December 4, 2018, Gonzalez signed a minor league deal with the Colorado Rockies.[16] On June 25, 2019, his contract was selected by the Rockies.[17] In 2019, Gonzalez pitched to a 5.29 earned run average over 14 games for the Rockies, with 46 strikeouts. In 2020 for the Rockies, Gonzalez pitched to a 6.86 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 19.2 innings pitched. On December 2, Gonzalez was nontendered by the Rockies. On December 11, 2020, Gonzalez re-signed with the Rockies on a minor league contract.[18] On March 27, 2021, Gonzalez was selected to the 40-man roster.[19] Gonzalez made 24 appearances for the Rockies, going 3–7 with a 6.46 earned run average and 56 strikeouts. On October 3, the Rockies designated Gonzalez for assignment.[20] On October 8, Gonzalez elected free agency.[21]
On March 18, 2022, Gonzalez signed a minor league deal with the Minnesota Twins. He had his contract selected on June 3, and was returned to Triple-A on June 4. On June 10, Gonzalez triggered the opt-out clause in his contract, giving Minnesota until the weekend to add him to the 40-man roster or release him. The next day, Gonzalez was selected to the active roster to start against the Tampa Bay Rays. He lasted 4.0 innings, giving up 3 earned runs on 8 hits while striking out 3, and was designated for assignment following the game.[22]
On June 14, 2022, Gonzalez was claimed off waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers after having been designated for assignment by the Minnesota Twins.[23] He made his first start for Milwaukee on June 21, 2022.[24] In 4 games (2 starts) for Milwaukee, Gonzalez registered a 6.35 ERA with 8 strikeouts in 11.1 innings pitched. He was designated for assignment on July 12. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A Nashville Sounds on July 16. However, González rejected the assignment and elected free agency.[25]
On July 22, 2022, Gonzalez signed a minor league deal with the Tigers and assigned him to the Toledo Mud Hens. On August 26, 2022, he opted out of the minor league contract and was released.[26]
On August 30, 2022, Gonzalez signed a minor league deal with the New York Yankees. He was called up and made his first start on October 2, against the Baltimore Orioles. He was designated for assignment on October 3, and assigned the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.[27] On October 24, Gonzalez elected free agency.
On December 15, 2022, Gonzalez signed a minor league deal with the Miami Marlins. He began the 2023 season with the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, making 6 starts and registering a 2-2 record and 4.54 ERA with 18 strikeouts in 33+2⁄3 innings pitched. On May 4, 2023, Gonzalez had his contract selected to the active roster.[28] In 2 relief appearances for Miami, Gonzalez surrendered 1 run on 4 hits with 2 strikeouts in 2.2 innings pitched. He was designated for assignment on May 12, following the promotion of Eury Pérez.[29] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Jacksonville on May 14.[30] On September 17, Gonzalez had his contract selected back to the major league roster.[31] He was designated for assignment for a second time on September 20.[32] Gonzalez again cleared waivers and was outrighted to Jacksonville on September 23.[33] He elected free agency on October 15.[34]
Gonzalez is of Cuban descent.[35]