With some work to be done on his control, this righty has the potential to be an efficient major-leaguer, whether starting or as a weapon out of the bullpen
Wikelman Gonzalez
Right-Handed Starting Pitcher
6´0´´
167 pounds
Age: 25
First appearance among the South Side Sox Top 100 Prospects
2024 High Level Portland Sea Dogs (AA)
Age relative to high level -2.5 years
SSS rank among all right-handed starters in the system 4
Overall 2024 stats 4-3 ⚾️ 19 starts ⚾️ 83 2⁄3 IP ⚾️ 4.73 ERA ⚾️ 1.255 WHIP ⚾️ 92 K ⚾️ 46 BB ⚾️ Simple WAR 0.1
Although he had a tougher year on the mound in 2024, Wikelman Gonzalez joined the Chicago White Sox as a part of the trade that sent Garrett Crochet to the Boston Red Sox. Wikelman was signed by Boston in 2018 and has moved up their organization since, spending all of last year with the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs.
Upon joining the White Sox, Gonzalez immediately was among the Top 15 White Sox prospects (per MLB, at least). His arsenal consists of a fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup, with his fastball being his best and most consistent pitch. Wikelman’s fastball sits in the mid-90’s, typically hanging around 95 mph. When he’s really on, Gonzalez has a highly effective changeup that tends to fool hitters, and can make a weapon out of his curveball.
Wikelman has greatly struggled with his control, especially in high-leverage situations, though he has done a lot of work in attempt to refine his approach and has been striking out batters at a much higher rate in recent seasons. In 2023 alone he reached a 13.58 K/9, though you can see the command issues even in the stats, with a 5.66 BB/9 and a 14.7% BB%.
The display of dominance in Gonzalez’s performance didn’t show the same in 2024 with a full season in Double-A, posting a 4.73 ERA. The bright side was that even though his ERA was elevated, he did reduce his WHIP (albeit very slightly) and walked 34% less batters than he did in 2023 (46 compared to 70). In Wikelman’s 83 2⁄3 innings last season, he struck out 92 batters (third on the staff, with the second-highest being 98 Ks in 20 more innings than Gonzalez threw). Again, the stuff is there when it’s working — the key is if he’s able to make the proper adjustments to keep his pitches in the strike zone.
There is no denying that Gonzalez could eventually be a key piece of the White Sox starting rotation. However, if he’s unable to get his command in check, it’s possible we see him shift to the bullpen down the line. Gonzalez has the invite to Spring Training this year, and will be a great way for him to get the initial experience and prepare for his time in the big leagues.
Three-fourths of the Garrett Crochet trade. Wikelman Gonzalez facing Chase Meidroth, throwing to catcher Kyle Teel. pic.twitter.com/FMQxHzlRLr
— Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) February 15, 2025
Gonzalez’s Baseball Cube player ratings
Durability 85
vs. Power 81
Hittable 81
Strikeouts 71
K/BB 55
Walks 43
Average 69.33
Wikelman Gonzalez’s redeeming quality is that his pitches are effective enough to still strike hitters out at a high rate, keeping his K/BB ratio more in check. Even his elevated 4.73 ERA in 2024 would have fit right in with the White Sox rotation, where the majority of the “regular” starters all were in the mid-to-upper 4.00s outside of Garrett Crochet.
It will be instructive to see how the White Sox handle Gonzalez to begin 2025. He was very young for Double-A last season, thus it seems a cautious approach would be a possible No. 1 starter role at Birmingham out of the gate and a move to Triple-A as warranted.
2025 South Side Sox Top 100 White Sox Prospects
18. Wikelman Gonzalez, RHSP
19. Aldrin Batista, RHSP
20. Sean Burke, RHSP
21. Nick Nastrini, RHSP
22. Blake Larson, LHSP
23. Tyler Schweitzer, LHSP
24. Alexander Albertus, 3B
25. Wilfred Veras, RF
26. Seth Keener, RHSP
27. William Bergolla, 2B
28. Samuel Zavala, CF
29. Peyton Pallette, RHRP
30. Jake Eder, LHSP
31. Juan Carela, RHSP
32. Javier Mogollón, SS
33. Nick McLain, RF
34. Ronny Hernandez, C
35. Casey Saucke, RF
36. Eric Adler, RHRP
37. Rikuu Nishida, 2B
38. Shane Smith, RHSP
39. Tim Elko, 1B
40. Zach DeLoach, LF
41. Riley Gowens, RHSP
42. Prelander Berroa, RHRP
43. Sam Antonacci, 2B
44. Adisyn Coffey, RHRP
45. Jarold Rosado, RHRP
46. Ryan Galanie, 1B
47. Trey McGough, LHRP
48. Ricardo Brizuela, RHSP
49. Lucas Gordon, LHSP
50. Aaron Combs, RHRP (traded to Phillies on January 1)
51. DJ Gladney, RF
52. Abraham Núñez, CF
53. Andre Lipcius, 1B
54. Shawn Goosenberg, 1B
55. Caden Connor, 1B
56. Mario Camilletti, 2B
57. Jake Peppers, RHSP
58. Ryan Burrowes, SS
59. Garrett Schoenle, LHRP
60. Jackson Appel, C
61. Tommy Vail, LHSP
62. Bryce Collins, RHRP
63. Tanner McDougal, RHSP
64. Stiven Flores, C
65. T.J. McCants, CF
66. Gil Luna, LHRP
67. Fraser Ellard, LHRP
68. Zach Franklin, RHRP
69. Drew Dalquist, RHRP
70. Nick Altermatt, RHRP
71. Carson Jacobs, RHRP
72. Alec Makarewicz, 1B
73. Jacob Burke, CF
74. Calvin Harris, C
75. Terrell Tatum, CF
76. Phil Fox, RHRP
77. Reudis Diaz, RHSP
78. Jurdrick Profar, SS
79. Drew McDaniel, RHSP
80. Michael Turner, C
81. Caleb Freeman, RHRP
82. Braden Shewmake, SS (designated for assignment on January 1, claimed by Royals)
83. Connor McCullough, RHSP
84. Shane Murphy, LHSP
85. Mikey Kane, 1B
86. Daniel González, LHRP
87. Wes Kath, 3B
88. Pierce George, RHRP
89. Tristan Stivors, RHRP
90. Anthony Hoopii-Tuionetoa, RHRP
91. Chase Plymell, RHRP
92. Eddie Park, CF
93. Loidel Chapelli, 2B
94. Adam Hackenberg, C
95. Adrian Gil, 1B
96. Jared Kelley, RHRP
97. Lyle Miller-Green, 1B
98. Marcelo Alcala, RF
99. Drake Logan, LF
100. Cole McConnell, CF