"Gonzalez is an intriguing young kid. He's 6'4 and very lean right now, making him very projectable. He's got a very nice changeup already that projects as a future out pitch. While his velocity is currently a tick below average, with his age and size there's plenty of reason to believe he'll pick up additional velocity as he matures. Also throws a curve for his breaking pitch, and looks to be at least an average pitch for him down the road."
According to Goold, they also signed a lefty-hitting outfielder at the same time:
DG wrote:The Cardinals also have an agreement in place with outfielder Jorge Araujo. He throws and hits lefthanded, and vice president of player procurement Jeff Luhnow described him as "toolsy."
Both players attended a tryout at the Cardinals' facility in the Dominican Republic that included four of the club's U.S.-based scouts and the local evaluators.
The Cardinals have finalized a deal with Venezuelan teen Leobaldo Pina after approval of his paperwork by Major League Baseball this week. Pina, 16, received a signing bonus slightly greater than $300,000 from the team. The 6-foot-2 infielder played in the Dominican Republic instructional league this past fall, and he probably will be assigned to the Cardinals' team in the Dominican Summer League. The Cardinals have agreements in place with several other players, including pitcher Fernando Gonzalez and outfielder Jorge (George) Araujo.
"Gonzalez is an intriguing young kid. He's 6'4 and very lean right now, making him very projectable. He's got a very nice changeup already that projects as a future out pitch. While his velocity is currently a tick below average, with his age and size there's plenty of reason to believe he'll pick up additional velocity as he matures. Also throws a curve for his breaking pitch, and looks to be at least an average pitch for him down the road."