Chi Chi González

Chi Chi González
Gonzalez pitching for the Colorado Rockies 2019 spring training
Pitcher / Coach
Born: (1992-01-15) January 15, 1992
Delray Beach, Florida, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
May 30, 2015, for the Texas Rangers
Last MLB appearance
September 17, 2023, for the Miami Marlins
MLB statistics
Win–loss record9–24
Earned run average5.68
Strikeouts173
Stats at Baseball Reference 
Teams
As player
As coach

Alexander Rios "Chi Chi" González (born January 15, 1992) is an American former professional pitcher and former bullpen catcher for the Miami Marlins of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played in MLB for the Texas Rangers, Colorado Rockies, Minnesota Twins, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Yankees, and the Marlins. González goes by Chi Chi, a nickname given to him by his grandfather.[1]

Playing career

Amateur career

Gonzalez attended Boca Raton Community High School in Boca Raton, Florida, and played for the school's baseball team as a pitcher and third baseman.[2] The Baltimore Orioles selected Gonzalez in the 11th round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft.[3] Rather than sign with the Orioles, Gonzalez attended Oral Roberts University, where he played college baseball for the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles.[4] In 2012, he played collegiate summer baseball in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox.[5]

Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers selected González in the first round, with the 23rd overall selection, of the 2013 Major League Baseball draft.[6][7][8] He made his professional debut with the Spokane Indians and also played for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Prior to the 2014 season, Baseball Prospectus rated González as the 70th best prospect in baseball.[9] He started the season with Myrtle Beach before being promoted to the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders.[10] He started 2015 with the Triple-A Round Rock Express.[11][12]

González was called up to the majors for the first time on May 30, 2015, and made his major league debut that day. He faced the veteran lineup of the Boston Red Sox and began the game pitching 5+2⁄3 innings without surrendering a hit. It was the longest no-hit stretch to begin a career for a Rangers pitcher since 1992.[13] On June 5, González threw a complete-game shutout against the Kansas City Royals; it was his first career complete game.[14] He made 14 appearances (10 starts) for the Rangers during his rookie campaign, compiling a 4-6 record and 3.90 ERA with 30 strikeouts over 67 innings of work.[15]

González made three starts for the Rangers during the 2016 season, but struggled to an 0-2 record and 8.71 ERA with seven strikeouts across 10+1⁄3 innings pitched.[16]

On March 17, 2017, González was diagnosed with a partial tear to the UCL; he subsequently received a platelet-rich plasma injection.[17] On July 22, he was declared to need Tommy John surgery, ending his season and ruling him out for the entirety of the 2018 season as well.[18] On December 1, González became a free agent after he was non-tendered by the Rangers.[19]

On December 4, 2017, González re-signed with Texas on a minor league contract.[20] During the year, he was able to make three scoreless rehab appearances for the rookie-level Arizona League Rangers and Low-A Spokane Indians. On November 2, 2018, González elected free agency.[21]

Colorado Rockies

On December 4, 2018, González signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies.[22] On June 25, his contract was selected by the Rockies.[23] In 2019, González pitched to a 5.29 earned run average over 14 games for the Rockies, with 46 strikeouts. In 2020 for the Rockies, González pitched to a 6.86 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 19+2⁄3 innings pitched. On December 2, González was non-tendered by the Rockies, and became a free agent.

On December 11, 2020, González re-signed with the Rockies on a minor league contract.[24] On March 27, 2021, González was selected to the 40-man roster.[25] González made 24 appearances for the Rockies, going 3–7 with a 6.46 earned run average and 56 strikeouts. On October 3, the Rockies designated González for assignment.[26] On October 8, González elected free agency.[27]

Minnesota Twins

On March 18, 2022, González signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins. He had his contract selected on June 3, and was returned to Triple-A on June 4. On June 10, González triggered the opt-out clause in his contract, giving Minnesota until the weekend to add him to the 40-man roster or release him. The next day, González was selected to the active roster to start against the Tampa Bay Rays. He lasted four innings, giving up three earned runs on eight hits while striking out three, and was designated for assignment following the game.[28]

Milwaukee Brewers

On June 14, 2022, Gonzalez was claimed off waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers after having been designated for assignment by the Minnesota Twins.[29] He made his first start for Milwaukee on June 21, 2022.[30] In 4 games (2 starts) for Milwaukee, Gonzalez registered a 6.35 ERA with 8 strikeouts in 11.1 innings pitched. He was designated for assignment on July 12. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A Nashville Sounds on July 16. However, González rejected the assignment and elected free agency.[31]

Detroit Tigers

On July 22, 2022, Gonzalez signed a minor league deal with the Tigers and assigned him to the Toledo Mud Hens. On August 26, 2022, he opted out of the minor league contract and was released.[32]

New York Yankees

On August 30, 2022, Gonzalez signed a minor league deal with the New York Yankees. He was called up and made his first start on October 2, against the Baltimore Orioles. He was designated for assignment on October 3, and assigned the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.[33] On October 24, Gonzalez elected free agency.

Miami Marlins

On December 15, 2022, Gonzalez signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins. He began the 2023 season with the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, making 6 starts and registering a 2-2 record and 4.54 ERA with 18 strikeouts in 33+2⁄3 innings pitched. On May 4, 2023, Gonzalez had his contract selected to the active roster.[34] In two relief appearances for Miami, Gonzalez surrendered one run on four hits with two strikeouts in 2+2⁄3 innings pitched. He was designated for assignment on May 12, following the promotion of Eury Pérez.[35] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Jacksonville on May 14.[36] On September 17, Gonzalez had his contract selected back to the major league roster.[37] He was designated for assignment for a second time on September 20.[38] Gonzalez again cleared waivers and was outrighted to Jacksonville on September 23.[39] He elected free agency on October 15.[40]

Coaching career

Prior to the 2025 season, González joined the Miami Marlins as a bullpen catcher.[41] On November 21, 2025, it was announced that González would not be returning to the team for the 2026 campaign.[42]

Personal life

Gonzalez is of Cuban descent.[43]

References

  1. ^ "'Chi Chi' González ready to be a Ranger". June 8, 2013.
  2. ^ "Rangers' prospect Chi Chi Gonzalez chases the dream".
  3. ^ "Baltimore Orioles select Boca Raton pitcher Alex Gonzalez in 11th round of baseball draft". June 8, 2010. Archived from the original on February 2, 2014.
  4. ^ "ORUAthletics.com – Official Athletic Website of Oral Roberts University". orugoldeneagles.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  5. ^ "#22 Alex Gonzalez". pointstreak.com. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  6. ^ "Rangers draft Delray Beach's Alex Gonzalez in first round". Sun Sentinel. June 6, 2013.
  7. ^ "Rangers select RHP Alex Gonzalez in the 2013 First-Year Player Draft". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
  8. ^ "'Chi Chi' Gonzalez ready to be a Ranger". MLB.com. June 8, 2013.
  9. ^ "Baseball Prospectus – Prospects Will Break Your Heart: Top 101 Prospects". Baseball Prospectus. January 27, 2014. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  10. ^ "Texas Rangers | Dallas Morning News". www.dallasnews.com. Archived from the original on May 27, 2015.
  11. ^ "Former Oral Roberts star Alex 'Chi Chi' Gonzalez to make first Triple-A start against OKC Dodgers on Sunday".
  12. ^ "Texas Rangers | Dallas Morning News". www.dallasnews.com.
  13. ^ "Prospect Gonzalez to join Rangers' rotation". Archived from the original on May 31, 2015.
  14. ^ "Rangers rookie Chi Chi Gonzalez shuts out Royals on 3 hits, 4–0". USA Today.
  15. ^ "Chi Chi Gonzalez 2015 pitching Stats Per Game". espn.com. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  16. ^ "Chi Chi Gonzalez 2016 pitching Stats Per Game". espn.com. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  17. ^ "Chi Chi Gonzalez Diagnosed With Partial UCL Tear". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  18. ^ "Chi Chi Gonzalez To Have Tommy John Surgery". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  19. ^ "2017 Non-Tenders". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  20. ^ "Rangers Agree To Minor League Deals With Chi Chi Gonzalez, Three Others". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  21. ^ Eddy, Matt (November 6, 2018). "Minor League Free Agents 2018". Baseball America. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  22. ^ @gfraley (December 5, 2018). "Chi Chi Gonzalez, taken by Rangers with 23rd overall pick in 2013, goes to Colorado on minor-league deal" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  23. ^ Kyle Newman (June 24, 2019). "Right-hander Chi Chi Gonzalez to make Rockies debut Tuesday in San Francisco". The Denver Post. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  24. ^ "Rockies Sign Chi Chi Gonzalez to Minor League Deal". December 11, 2020.
  25. ^ "Rockies Select Chi Chi Gonzalez to 40-Man Roster". March 27, 2021.
  26. ^ "Rockies Designate Chi Chi Gonzalez For Assignment". MLB Trade Rumors. October 3, 2021.
  27. ^ "Players Recently Electing Free Agency". MLB Trade Rumors. October 14, 2021. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  28. ^ "Twins' Chi Chi Gonzalez: Designated for assignment". cbssports.com. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  29. ^ "Brewers Claim Chi Chi Gonzalez Off Waivers From Twins". MLB Trade Rumors. June 14, 2022. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
  30. ^ "Brewers' Chi Chi Gonzalez: Making spot start". CBSSports.com. June 21, 2022. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
  31. ^ "Chi Chi Gonzalez: Elects free agency". cbssports.com. July 16, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  32. ^ "Chi Chi Gonzalez Opts Out Of Deal With Tigers". MLB Trade Rumors. August 26, 2022. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
  33. ^ NJ.com, Mike Rosenstein | NJ Advance Media for (October 6, 2022). "Yankees assign pitcher to Triple-A after Bronx cameo". nj.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  34. ^ "Marlins' Chi Chi Gonzalez: Contract selected by MIA". cbssports.com. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  35. ^ "Marlins' Chi Chi Gonzalez: Designated for assignment". cbssports.com. May 12, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  36. ^ "Marlins' Chi Chi Gonzalez: Sent outright to Triple-A". cbssports.com. May 15, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  37. ^ "Marlins' Chi Chi Gonzalez: Rejoins big club". cbssports.com. September 17, 2023. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
  38. ^ "Marlins' Chi Chi Gonzalez: Pushed off 40-man roster". cbssports.com. September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  39. ^ "Marlins' Chi Chi Gonzalez: Outrighted to Triple-A". cbssports.com. September 26, 2023. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  40. ^ "Transactions". MiLB.com. October 15, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  41. ^ "Former Rangers first round pick now has unique role on Marlins' coaching staff". nolanwritin.com. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
  42. ^ "Offishial News: Marlins coaching staff carousel; La Gente del Barrio lineup". fishonfirst.com. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  43. ^ Harding, Thomas (July 17, 2021). "Chi Chi González makes statement in loss to Dodgers". MLB.com. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
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