Erik Gonzalez

Position: SS
Born: 8/31/1991
Height: 6'3
Weight: 195
B/T: R/R
Acquired: Signed as an international free agent (Dominican Republic) on August 26, 2008 (CLE).

Most Recent Stats at Time of Debut
CURRENT SEASON STATS: .296 with six homers, 39 RBIs and nine steals in 81 games at Columbus (Triple-A).

Info & MLB Debut Date
Recalled from Columbus July 14 when LHP T.J. House was sent down.
MLB Debut Date: 7/16/2016

Debut Details
July 16, in an 11-inning, 5-4 loss to the Minnesota Twins. Pinch-hitting for Tyler Naquin with two outs in the eighth inning, he struck out swinging against reliever Fernando Abad. Staying in the game in right field, he remained there on defense until the 11th inning when he was lifted for pinch-hitter Abraham Almonte.

Player Notes
A career .274 hitter in 681 career games, all as a member of the Indians’ organization, Gonzalez batted .255 with nine homers, 69 RBIs and 18 steals in 137 games in 2015 between Akron (Double-A) and Columbus, adding 24 doubles and scoring 70 runs. He brings defensive versatility to the bench, boasting the organization’s best infield arm, and having also been noted as its best defensive infielder. He actually was moved from second base to shortstop during his career and played there almost exclusively for the last few years before seeing time at shortstop, second, third and the outfield so far this season, perhaps in preparation for his imminent (and long-awaited) promotion. He is a good runner with range in the field and bat speed at the plate as well and can contribute in several areas. The fact that his debut came in right field is an indication of that.