Gio Gonzalez, Retired

Date of Birth: 9/19/1985
Birthplace: Hialeah, Florida

Gio Gonzalez, retired starting pitcher, was first drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 2004. After a year in their minor league system, the White Sox traded him to the Philadelphia Phillies in December, 2005. He spent a year in the Phillies' minor league system before being traded back to the White Sox in December, 2006. He then returned to the minor leagues for the 2007 season.

Gonzalez was traded again in January, 2008, this time to the Oakland Athletics. He joined the Athletics for 10 games in 2008. The following season, he pitched in 20 games with Oakland, finishing the 2009 season with a 6-7 record and a 5.75 ERA.

Gonzalez had his breakout year in 2010 when he pitched 200.2 innings in 33 games. He finished the season with a 15-9 record and a 3.23 ERA. The next season was just as good. In 2011, he pitched a career high 202.0 innings in 32 games and he finished with a 16-12 record and a 3.12 ERA.

Even though Gonzalez had two strong seasons with the Athletics, they traded him to the Washington Nationals in December, 2011. A month later, he signed a five-year, $42 million contract extension with the Nationals.

Gonzalez had a strong first season with the Nationals in 2012. He led the National League in wins with 21 (to 8 losses) and he won the Warren Spahn award. He had career highs in strikeouts (207 to 76 walks) and a career low ERA of 2.89. In 2013, he had another strong season, finishing with an 11-8 record and a 3.36 ERA. He finished the 2014 season with a 10-10 record, 162 strikeouts to 56 walks, and a 3.57 ERA in 158.2 innings in 27 games.

Gonzalez finished the 2015 season with an 11-8 record, 169 strikeouts to 69 walks, and a 3.79 ERA in 175.2 innings in 31 games.

Gonzalez pitched in 32 games with the Nationals in 2016. He finished the season with a 4.57 ERA, 11 wins to 11 losses, and 171 strikeouts to 59 walks in 177.1 innings. In the postseason, he pitched 4.1 innings in 1 game and he gave up 4 hits and 3 runs.

The Nationals exercised Gonzalez's option for 2017 on November 3, 2016. He pitched in 32 games in 2017 and he had 15 wins to 9 losses, 188 strikeouts to 79 walks, and a 2.96 ERA in 201.0 innings. In the postseason, he pitched 8.0 innings in 2 games and he gave up 6 hits, including 2 home runs, and 6 runs. He struck out 11 batters and walked 6.

The Nationals traded Gonzalez to the Milwaukee Brewers on August 31, 2018. He finished the 2018 season with 10 wins and 11 losses, 148 strikeouts to 80 walks, and a 4.21 ERA in 171.0 innings in 27 games with the Nationals and 5 games with the Brewers. In the postseason, he pitched 3.0 innings in 2 games and he gave up 3 hits, including a home run, and 2 runs. He struck out one batter and walked two.

Gonzalez became a free agent on October 29, 2018. He signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees on March 20, 2019. He was released on April 22nd. He rejoined the Brewers on April 27th. He spent time on the DL in 2019 with left arm fatigue. He finished the season with 3 wins and 2 losses, 78 strikeouts to 37 walks, and a 3.50 ERA in 87.1 innings in 19 games. He didn't pitch in the postseason.

Gonzalez became a free agent on October 31, 2019. He signed with the Chicago White Sox on December 20th. He pitched in 12 games in 2020, and he finished the season with 1 win and 2 losses, 34 strikeouts to 19 walks, and a 4.83 ERA in 31.2 innings.

Gonzalez elected free agency on October 30, 2020. He signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins on March 4, 2021. He retired on March 26th.

Career pitching statistics for Gonzalez through 2020 include:

• 344 games played
• 1,933.0 innings pitched
• 1860 strikeouts to 815 walks
• 131-101 win-loss record
• 3.70 ERA

Charitable Work

Gonzalez established the GIO (Giving Individuals Opportunities) foundation in 2012. The organization aids medical patients in need of financial support.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Gio Gonzalez
ESPN - Gio Gonzalez