Chi Chi Gonzalez
Alexander "Chi Chi" González (born January 15, 1992) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Minnesota Twins organization. González goes by Chi Chi, a nickname given to him by his grandfather. He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers and Colorado Rockies. Career. Amateur. Gonzalez was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 11th round of the 2010 MLB Draft out of Boca Raton Community High School. Rather than sign with the Orioles, Gonzalez attended Oral Roberts University, where he was an accounting major. In 2012, he played collegiate summer baseball in  the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox. Texas Rangers. He was drafted by the Rangers in the 1st round (23rd overall) of the 2013 MLB Draft. 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 Gonzalez as the 70th best prospect in baseball. He started the season with Myrtle Beach before being promoted to the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders. He started 2015 with the Triple-A Round Rock Express. Gonzalez was called up to the majors for the first time  on May 30, 2015, and made his MLB debut that day. He faced the veteran lineup of the Boston Red Sox and began the game pitching innings without surrendering a hit. It was the longest no-hit stretch to begin a career for a Rangers pitcher since 1992. On June 5, 2015, Gonzalez threw a complete game shutout against the Kansas City Royals. It was his first career complete game. Gonzalez was optioned down to Triple-A Round Rock July 4, 2015. Gonzalez was diagnosed with a partial tear to the UCL in spring training of 2017. He was declared  to need Tommy John surgery, ending his 2017 season plus the whole 2018 season. On November 2, 2018, Gonzalez elected free agency. Colorado Rockies. On December 4, 2018, Gonzalez signed a minor league deal with the Colorado Rockies. On June 25, 2019, his contract was selected by the Rockies. In 2019, Gonzalez pitched to a 5.29 ERA over 14 games for the Rockies, with 46 strikeouts. In 2020 for the Rockies, Gonzalez pitched to a 6.86 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 19.2 innings pitched. On December 2, Gonzalez was nontendered by the Rockies. On December 11, 2020, Gonzalez re-signed  with the Rockies on a minor league contract. On March 27, 2021, Gonzalez was selected to the 40-man roster. Gonzalez made 24 appearances for the Rockies, going 3-7 with a 6.46 ERA and 56 strikeouts. On October 3, the Rockies designated Gonzalez for assignment. On October 8, Gonzalez elected free agency. Minnesota Twins. On March 18, 2022, Gonzalez signed a minor league deal with the Minnesota Twins.