In the second of a four game set, the Phillies and Cardinals will square off tonight, with all eyes focused on the major league debut of Phillies' right handed, Panamanian prospect, Severino Gonzalez.'
The spot in the rotation opened for Gonzalez, largely because of Sean O'Sullivan being placed on the 15-day disabled list with left knee tendinitis. A spot start was given to right hander Dustin McGowan last Thursday in place of O'Sullivan, however his struggles led manager Ryne Sandberg to look elsewhere within the organization to fill-in for the time being.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Philadelphia Phillies (8-12) | St. Louis Cardinals (12-6) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Severino Gonzalez | RHP | Michael Wacha | ||
| Triple-A LHV: (1-1, 3.57 ERA) | (3-0, 1.33 ERA) | ||||
At 18 years of age on April 27, 2011, Gonzalez signed as an amateur free agent with the Phillies' organization for $14,000. Partaking in two seasons of the Venezuelan Summer League (2011, 2012), he had not visited America until two years ago in the Spring of 2013.
The transition to the American lifestyle wasn't easy for Gonzalez, but with the help of fellow Panamanian catcher Carlos Ruiz, he was able to feel more at home and become ready to move into the next chapter of his professional career.
In an article from September 21, 2013, Matt Gelb of The Philadelphia Inquirer writes:
The wiry 20-year-old righthander sat in the dugout at Citizens Bank Park and looked timid. He said few words through a translator. But he smiled when a questioner used Ruiz's name.
"Carlos Ruiz is kind of like a father to me," Gonzalez said.
The pitcher, after forging a relationship with Ruiz, transformed from inventory to real prospect in four months. He does not throw hard – his fastball tops in the low 90s – but possesses precise control unusual for an arm with such limited experience. Gonzalez struck out 119 and walked 22 in 103 2/3 innings [in 2013].
| Year | Age | Tm | Lg | Lev | Aff | W | L | G | GS | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | IBB | SO | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 18 | Phillies | VESL | FRk | PHI | 1 | 1 | 2.11 | 17 | 0 | 42.2 | 36 | 13 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 29 | 0.914 |
| 2012 | 19 | Phillies | VESL | FRk | PHI | 7 | 3 | 1.65 | 14 | 14 | 92.2 | 59 | 26 | 17 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 86 | 0.701 |
| 2013 | 20 | 3 Teams | 3 Lgs | A+-A-AA | PHI | 7 | 5 | 2.00 | 25 | 14 | 103.2 | 84 | 29 | 23 | 5 | 22 | 1 | 119 | 1.023 |
| 2013 | 20 | Lakewood | SALL | A | PHI | 3 | 0 | 1.69 | 4 | 4 | 21.1 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 31 | 0.609 |
| 2013 | 20 | Clearwater | FLOR | A+ | PHI | 3 | 5 | 2.02 | 20 | 9 | 75.2 | 66 | 23 | 17 | 4 | 19 | 1 | 82 | 1.123 |
| 2013 | 20 | Reading | EL | AA | PHI | 1 | 0 | 2.70 | 1 | 1 | 6.2 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1.200 |
| 2013 | 20 | La Guaira | VEWL | FgW | 0 | 1 | 8.10 | 4 | 2 | 6.2 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 2.850 | |
| 2014 | 21 | Reading | EL | AA | PHI | 9 | 13 | 4.60 | 27 | 27 | 158.1 | 169 | 89 | 81 | 23 | 34 | 0 | 115 | 1.282 |
| 2015 | 22 | Lehigh Valley | IL | AAA | PHI | 1 | 1 | 3.57 | 3 | 3 | 17.2 | 20 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 1.245 |
| 5 Seasons | 25 | 23 | 2.99 | 86 | 58 | 415.0 | 368 | 166 | 138 | 34 | 67 | 1 | 358 | 1.048 | |||||
Gonzalez was named a recipient of the Phillies' Paul Owens Award in 2013, along with prospect Maikel Franco. Current Phillies on the major-league roster who have been bestowed this honor include: Chase Utley (2002), Cole Hamels (2003), Ryan Howard (2003, 2004), Freddy Galvis (2011), Darin Ruf (2012), and Luis Garcia (2014).
Opposing Gonzalez for the St. Louis Cardinals will be 23-year-old right hander Michael Wacha. In each of his three starts this season resulting in winning decisions, the first two against Cincinnati's Johnny Cueto and the third against Washington's Max Scherzer, Wacha has allowed just one earned run.
In his rookie season (2013), Wacha made a name of himself after his success in the postseason. Combined against the Pirates (NLDS), Dodgers (NLCS) and Red Sox (World Series) in 30.2 innings over five starts, Wacha went (4-1) with a 2.64 ERA. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the NLCS after throwing 13.2 scoreless innings over two starts.
Tonight will be Wacha's first career start against the Phillies.
Starting Lineups:
| Philadelphia Phillies (8-12) | St. Louis Cardinals (12-6) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | LF | Ben Revere | L | 1 | CF | Jon Jay | L |
| 2 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L | 2 | 3B | Matt Carpenter | L |
| 3 | 2B | Chase Utley | L | 3 | LF | Matt Holliday | R |
| 4 | RF | Jeff Francoeur | R | 4 | 1B | Matt Adams | L |
| 5 | 1B | Ryan Howard | L | 5 | SS | Jhonny Peralta | R |
| 6 | 3B | Cody Asche | L | 6 | RF | Jason Heyward | L |
| 7 | C | Carlos Ruiz | R | 7 | C | Yadier Molina | R |
| 8 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S | 8 | 2B | Kolten Wong | L |
| 9 | P | Severino Gonzalez | R | 9 | P | Michael Wacha | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First-pitch: 8:15 pm EST
- TV: CSN
- Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, SBP 1480 (Sp.)
What's Next:
Wednesday, April 29, 2015: at St. Louis Cardinals, 8:15 pm
- RHP Aaron Harang (2-1, 1.37 ERA) vs. RHP Carlos Martinez (2-0, 1.35 ERA)
- TV: CSN, ESPN; Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, SBP 1480 (Sp.)
Thursday, April 30, 2015: at St. Louis Cardinals, 1:45 pm
- RHP David Buchanan (0-4, 7.52 ERA) vs. LHP Tim Cooney (M-L debut)
- TV: CSN, MLBN; Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, SBP 1480 (Sp.)
Matt Rappa (@mattrappa) is managing editor of Philliedelphia.com.
