Marwin Gonzalez, Utility Player, New York Yankees

Date of Birth: 3/14/1989
Birthplace: Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela

Marwin Gonzalez, utility player for the New York Yankees, first signed with the Chicago Cubs in 2006. He played in the Cubs' minor league system from 2006 until 2011, when he was drafted from the Cubs by the Red Sox. He was quickly traded by the Red Sox to the Houston Astros. He then continued to play in the minor leagues through part of the 2012 and 2013 seasons. He finished his minor league career with a .260 batting average and 523 hits and 227 RBIs in 567 games.

Gonzalez joined the Astros in 2012 for 80 games. He finished the season with a .234 batting average. In 2013, he had 45 hits and a .221 batting average in 72 games.

Gonzalez finished the 2015 season with 96 hits, 18 doubles, 34 RBIs, and a .279 batting average in 120 games. Defensively, he played 43 games at first base, 15 games at second base, 21 games at third base, and 32 games at shortstop. He had no hits in 3 at-bats in 4 postseason games.

In 2016, Gonzalez batted .254 in 141 games. He had 123 hits, 26 doubles, 13 home runs, and 51 RBIs. Defensively, he played all four infield positions as well as 1 game in center field and 18 games in left field.

Gonzalez had a strong 2017 season, finishing with career highs in hits (138), doubles (34), home runs (23), RBIs (90), and batting average (.303). He had 99 strikeouts to 49 walks in 134 games. Defensively, he played all infield positions and two outfield positions (left field and right field). In the postseason, he had 11 hit and 4 RBIs in 61 at-bats in 18 games. He hit a ninth inning home run in Game 2 of the World Series off Kenley Jansen. That home run tied the score at 3-3.

Gonzalez finished the 2018 season with 121 hits, 25 doubles, 16 home runs, 68 RBIs, 126 strikeouts to 53 walks, and a .247 batting average in 145 games. Defensively, he played all infield and outfield positions. In the postseason, he had 11 hits, including 2 doubles and 2 home runs, and 9 RBIs in 33 at-bats in 8 games. He struck out 9 times and walked once.

Gonzalez became a free agent on October 29, 2018. He signed with the Minnesota Twins on February 25, 2019. He spent time on the DL in 2019 with a right hamstring strain. He finished the season with 112 hits, 19 doubles, 55 RBIs, 98 strikeouts to 31 walks, and a .264 batting average in 114 games. Defensively, he played all infield and outfield positions except for center field. In the postseason, he had 3 hits, including a double, 4 strikeouts and no walks, and a .273 batting average in 11 at-bats in 3 games.

Gonzalez played in 53 games in 2020. He finished the season with 37 hits, 4 doubles, 5 home runs, 22 RBIs, 41 strikeouts to 17 walks, and a .211 batting average. Defensively, he played 14 games at first base, 21 games at second base, 23 games at third base, and 8 games in right field. In the postseason, he batted .200 with 1 hit in 5 at-bats in 2 games.

Gonzalez elected free agency on October 28, 2020. He signed with the Boston Red Sox on February 24, 2021. He was released by Boston on August 16, 2021, and he returned to the Astros on a minor league deal on August 27th. He finished the 2021 season with 55 hits in 77 games with Boston and 14 games with Houston. In the postseason, he had 1 hit and 2 RBIs in 4 at-bats in 4 games.

Gonzalez became a free agent on November 3, 2021. He signed a minor league contract with the Yankees on March 21, 2022.

Career batting statistics for Gonzalez through 2021 include:

• 1,053 games played
• 854 hits
• 176 doubles
• 101 home runs
• 397 RBIs
• 758 strikeouts to 247 walks
• .256 batting average

Personal Life

Gonzalez and his wife Noel have one child.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Marwin Gonzalez
ESPN - Marwin Gonzalez