Gio Gonzalez

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Gio Gonzalez (born September 19, 1985 in Hialeah, Florida, USA) is a left-handed pitcher in the Chicago White Sox farm system. He was drafted by the White Sox in 2004. Gio graduated from Monsignor Edward Pace High School in 2004. He was a high school phenom leading to becoming a 1st round pick. In 2005, he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies along with Aaron Rowand and Daniel Haigwood. Gio was the key player in the trade, giving the Phillies a potential frontline starter. He was dominate in the minors and showed great progress. Gonzalez was rated the no. 2 prospect in the Phillies' system behind fellow lefty and ace on his own right Cole Hamels by Baseball America in 2006. During December of 2006, Gio was traded to the White Sox, his previous team, with Gavin Floyd to acquire Freddy Garcia. He currently ranks no. 3 in the ChiSox's system as of 2007.

Gonzalez throws a hard fastball 90-93 mph and a nasty slider. He could eventually be a middle of the rotation guy for any major league team. Kenny Williams was impressed with Gio's stuff after the first day of spring training. He was optioned to minor league camp late in March. He is projected to start in AAA or AA come the start of the season.