Position: 1B
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 220 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 06/26/1998
High School: Chaparral HS (Scottsdale, AZ)
Drafted: 2nd Rd., 58th Overall, 2017 (Giants)
How Acquired: Rule 5, Minor League Phase, 2021 (from Giants)
Bonus: $950,000
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: Yes
Minor League Free Agency: 2023
Options Left: 3
Overview
Gonzalez’ father, whom he resembles quite a bit, is former major league star Luis Gonzalez. Jacob has shown a solid hit tool, but he hasn’t been able to take advantage of his above-average raw power because he hits the ball on the ground too much. That’s not a good profile for somebody who doesn’t run well, which has probably contributed to low BABIPs. He’s played first and third, but doesn’t have good range. He does have a good arm and has played a little in left. Gonzalez has had enough trouble at third — with a fielding percentage of .848 — that it’s hard to see him playing there much going forward. The Pirates acquired him in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft.
2017-21
After a strong debut in rookie ball, Gonzalez struggled for three years, not counting the canceled 2020 season. He struggled in low A in 2018-19, not making good contact or walking much. The Giants sent him to high A in 2021 and he was overmatched there, batting .174 with little power. In July, the team sent Gonzalez to rookie ball to work on his swing. He hit well there, but he was quite old for the level at 23. After the season, the Pirates acquired him in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft.
2022
Gonzalez opened the 2022 season at Bradenton and was something of a minor sensation. He started off 13-for-22 and continued from there. The Pirates moved him up after a month and he kept it up for a while at Greensboro, going 15-for-23 in his first six games. Between the two levels, he hit .392 with eight home runs in April and May. From the beginning of June until the end of the season, he hit .229 with five home runs. Even with the blistering start, his OPS of .756 at Greensboro wasn’t that much better than the league average of .724, and he was old for the level at 24.
2023
In 2023, Gonzalez played for Altoona. He split his time between first and DH, and hit very little, batting 237/293/351. He didn’t strike out a lot, but seldom walked. He’s eligible for free agency after the season.
Stats
Transactions
June 13, 2017: Drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 2nd round, 58th overall pick; signed on June 20.
December 8, 2021: Selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates from the San Francisco Giants in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft.