Rangers Miguel Gonzalez: Sleeper end-of-season pick up
By Bill Pivetz
The Rangers traded for pitcher Miguel Gonzalez. He had a nice string of starts to end his time with the White Sox and is a sleeper pick to end the season.
In a move that went through without much fanfare, the Texas Rangers added depth to their starting rotation by trading for Miguel Gonzalez from the Chicago White Sox. With experience in the American League, he’s posted decent numbers and should be a waiver add for the playoffs.
Gonzalez’s season-long numbers don’t look as great, 4.31 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 7-10 record. His walk, strikeout and home run rates are not where they should be either. He has a 5.72 K/9, 3.16 BB/9 and 1.08 HR/9.
Over the last four weeks, however, he’s been a completely different pitcher. From Aug. 9 to Aug. 31, his last five starts with the White Sox, Gonzalez posted a 1.85 ERA, 1.118 WHIP and 2-0 record. He also has 28 strikeouts, 10 walks and one home run in 34.0 innings. Gonzalez recorded five quality starts as well.
More from Fantasy Baseball
- 5 fantasy baseball waiver wire pivots to replace Triston McKenzie
- Fantasy baseball mock draft 2023, 12-team: Aaron Judge over Trea Turner?
- 3 fantasy baseball sleepers being drafted too late
- NBA DFS picks December 25: Merry Bucking Christmas
- Fantasy Baseball: Hot pitchers worthy of starting this weekend
He took on some good offenses, like the Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers and red-hot Minnesota Twins, in that span. Moving to the American League West exposes him to some more good offenses, like the Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Angels, as well as the Astros again.
In that five-game span, Gonzalez pitched just six innings three times. His pitch counts and walks got out of hand, limiting the number of innings he can pitch. In those three games, he had three, four and two walks, respectively. Those extra pitches and base runners shortened a few of Gonzalez’s outings.
Gonzalez doesn’t have the highest velocity pitches, but he does keep the ball on the ground and limit runs. He has a 37.3 ground ball and 42.7 fly ball rate. He also has a 32.3 hard hit rate, 46th-best among starters with at least 130 innings pitched.
Gonzalez doesn’t have good career numbers against the Mariners and Oakland A’s but is good against the Angels and Astros. At Globe Life Park, he has a 3.14 ERA and 1.465 WHIP in five starts.
Next: J.P. Crawford getting the call
Gonzalez is owned in just 17.2 percent of ESPN leagues. It is up 4.3 percent over the last week, so some fantasy owners are noticing. If you are in the playoff hunt and need pitching depth, Gonzalez is someone to target. His next start is on Tuesday on the road against the Atlanta Braves, which should be another good matchup.