MMO Exclusive: Mets’ Pitching Prospect Harol Gonzalez

New York Mets minor league pitcher Harol Gonzalez is coming off a solid season in 2019 between Double and Triple-A.

Gonzalez caught up with Metsmerized in a phone interview over the weekend to discuss the uncertainty surrounding the minor league season among other topics.

“All I can do is continue to work hard everyday even though I have no idea when the next time I can pitch in a live game will be, which is tough on you, mentally,” Gonzalez told Metsmerized through a translator.

“The trainers are very invested in us and call multiple times a week to get an update on our workout plan and advise us on the distance we should be throwing.”

“I’ve been working out with a few teammates in Orlando throwing and playing catch together while we wait to see what happens,” said Gonzalez.

The 25-year-old believes the biggest challenge for the players is staying focused despite the heavy amount of doubt surrounding a minor league season this year.

“All we can do as players is train like we are playing this year so we can come in and compete at the same level next year. This is really a once in a lifetime occurrence where there is a strong chance that we will not have a season this year,” said Gonzalez.

Several teams around Major League Baseball have been cutting their minor leaguers in mass droves due to their inability to keep paying them with the season on hold.

The Mets recently released around 40 players in their system. Gonzalez declined to comment on this situation but added that like any job, unfortunately, nothing is permanent.

The right-handed pitcher is looking to build off a successful campaign where he started 23 games between Binghamton and Syracuse producing a 12-4 record with a 3.01 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and .230 opposing average allowed.

Gonzalez’s top three pitches are his fastball, changeup, and curveball but he credits his control as the biggest factor to his development as a pitcher.

“I focus a lot on my command and throwing strikes. I am lucky if I can reach around 96-97 mph on my fastball so I am not going to overpower hitters. I always try to keep them out of their comfort zone by putting the ball where I want it to be,” said Gonzalez.

“I stay prepared in between starts by getting a goodnight’s rest, eating a healthy breakfast, and getting in the right mindset by listening to music. Right now, Bad Bunny is my favorite artist.”

Last season was also the alleged year of the juiced baseball. Gonzalez says he noticed a change in the ball once he was promoted to Triple-A.

“I saw a lot of differences. which made me make a lot of adjustments, but there is a good change to it. Although it sometimes feels like it could slip out of your hands, the tighter seams add a lot of mobility and more speed to your pitches,” said Gonzalez.

These adjustments helped Gonzalez endure even greater success at the next level going 6-0 with a 2.68 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and .223 opposing average allowed in 7 starts with Syracuse.

As a result, the Dominican Republic native received an invite to play winter ball in his home country this off-season, which Gonzalez called a dream come true.

“I always aspired to play winter ball. It was such a huge break for me and I understood what a big opportunity it was. It is a very different style of play and I learned so much. Growing up in the Domincan, pitchers are taught to learn the batters tendencies as they face them in the game. In the winter league, my teammates taught me to study more film and know these batters going into my start,” said Gonzalez.

Growing up in the DR, Gonzalez says he modeled his game after Hall of Fame ace pitcher Pedro Martinez.

“I don’t have the same motion as him, but the way he used to pound the strike zone is something i’ve tried to mimic. My Mom always told me that i’d be like Pedro when I grew up,” said Gonzalez.

While a minor league season does not look promising in 2020, Gonzalez’s success last year makes him a potential candidate to help the big league pitching staff at some point if and when there is a regular season.

Especially with Noah Syndergaard on the shelf until 2021, the Mets need pitching depth and Gonzalez feels he can rise to the occasion if called upon.

“I’m always prepared to step in and help the team. My mindset is to always be ready and If the opportunity comes this year, I will be.”

“My goal is to get called up and prove I belong so I never get sent back down,” said Gonzalez.