Getting to Know Lancaster JetHawks RHP Gonzalo Sanudo

Gonzalo Sanudo came in to the Astros organization in a Spring 2013 trade that sent 2010 supplemental first round pick Mike Kvasnicka to the Twins organization. Sanudo quickly made his mark with the Greeneville team and ended his season as an integral part of the New York-Penn League Championship Tri-City team.

Sanudo continued his dominance with Quad Cities earlier this season, putting up a 1.14 ERA and a 0.887 WHIP in seven appearances, leading to his promotion to High A Lancaster. Sanudo is still getting acclimated to the California League (he allowed three home runs in his first three games, one more than he had allowed in his entire minor league career prior to the promotion), but as a control pitcher, I have no doubt that he will make the necessary adjustments. In 131 career innings pitched, Sanudo has only walked 20 batters.

Gonzalo Sanudo - May 2014

Photo by Jayne Hansen

In addition to adjusting to the league, Sanudo is also transitioning from reliever to starter. I spoke with Lancaster Pitching Coach Don Alexander about Sanudo's strengths and further development into that role, "He's a strike thrower. He's not afraid to challenge hitters. He's not afraid to work in the strike zone. Big thing with him right now is he's working on his put away package. He gets ahead of hitters outstanding, attacks the strike zone and ... once he gets into that position of advantage and he's controlled the count, now he can end the at bat. We've been spending time working on that put away arsenal so that when he gets into those good counts and those pitcher's counts and the positions of advantage, he can stop at bats right away."

Now let's hear from Sanudo himself (with a video bomb from Manager Rodney Linares) ~

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Thank you for your time, Gonzalo, and the best of luck on your journey.