White Sox right-hander Wikelman Gonzalez was thrust into action on Saturday after Martin Perez was pulled after a poor four innings of work.
Gonzalez entered against the heart of the Tigers’ lineup, not an easy spot in the lineup to navigate for any reliever, particularly a rookie.
But Gonzalez was in attack mode early, getting slugger Spencer Torkelson to strike out looking, striking out two-time All-Star Riley Greene and inducing a fly out to Andy Ibanez. Then in the sixth, Gonzalez struck out the side —Dillon Dangler, Zach McKinstry and Javier Baez. In total, Gonzalez recorded five punchouts and zero walks in two innings.
“That might be the best outing we’ve seen from Wikelman,” manager Will Venable said.
While catcher Kyle Teel and outfielder Braden Montgomery were the headliners of the trade, Gonzalez and infielder Chase Meidroth have proven to be capable contributors for the Sox.
“It means a lot to hear that,” Gonzalez told the Sun-Times through an interpreter about Venable’s comments. “I’m feeling pretty good right now. I think I’m doing a good job. And, you know, it’s important to me to go out there and take advantage of every opportunity and perform.”
Gonzalez arrived in Chicago as a starter with high walk rates throughout Boston’s minor-league system but with electric stuff. He started the season off as a starter before the organization transitioned him to the bullpen to accelerate his path to the majors.
He got ahead 0-1 against four of the six Detroit hitters he faced. His fastball averages out at 95.3 mph and is thrown from a low three-quarters slot. Opponents are batting just .091/ against Gonzalez’s fastball. His pitches are hard to hit, but he must consistently be competitive in the zone to effectively utilize his velocity. He’s said finding his routine and being more worried about his game plan has been helpful.
“I know that they have a very good lineup, but I just tried to focus on myself and executing what I know I can do instead of the heaters,” Gonzalez said.
Meidroth, the other piece acquired in the Crochet deal, was productive on the seven-game road trip, batting .455/.520/.636 with a 1.156 OPS.
Since Aug. 15, batting .324/.400/.408 with a 131 wRC+. Meidroth’s patient approach at the plate has led to a low chase rate (21.5%) and an above-average walk rate (9.5%). His ability to control the strike zone and handle two positions defensively gives Meidroth a high floor.
Assistant hitting coach Joel McKeithan has been impressed with Meidroth’s play through the various injuries — right ankle, shoulder sprain and a bruised right thumb he’s dealt with this season.
“He’s dealt with a lot of things this year and he’s played through all of it,” McKeithan said. “He’s honed in on who he is as a hitter and [is] just letting that show up.
When Getz finalized the deal, he said the trade was about getting “value and volume” in the deal. While Teel and Montgomery have All-Star ceilings, Getz wanted to acquire multiple contributors in the deal, given that he was trading his best player with years of control. So, Gonzalez and Meidroth being contributors at the major-league level is an important factor when evaluating the deal as the years progress.
After the Crochet trade was consummated in Dallas at the winter meetings, Getz said both sides “should feel good about the return.” Time will tell, given that Crochet is an All-Star for a team in a playoff race and the Sox are missing the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.
