Mets Prospect Merandy Gonzalez Throws A No-Hitter In The Gulf Coast League

Image from the video below

UPDATE: He was promoted to Kingsport the day after throwing this no-hitter.

            New York Mets pitching prospect Merandy Gonzalez threw a 7-inning no-hitter for the GCL Mets Thursday afternoon, limiting the GCL Marlins to just a leadoff walk in the 7^th. The game was limited to just 7 innings because the two teams had completed a rain-suspended game from earlier in the day. Notable in the GCL Marlins lineup today was Josh Naylor, who they took with the 12^th overall pick in the 2015 draft.

It was the fourth appearance (second start) of the season for the 19-year old Gonzalez, and already the second time that he has allowed 0 hits over an extended outing. His first outing of the season also came against these GCL Marlins, and he threw 5 perfect innings in relief that day, striking out 7 of the 15 batters to face him. He finished with 6 strikeouts, 9 groundouts, 5 fly outs, and one pop out allowed over the 7 innings. The first Marlins batter of the game, Samuel Castro, reached on a throwing error by third baseman Luis Crisostomo, but then Merandy retired the next 10. His streak would be ended when Naylor reached on a fielding error by first baseman Jose Maria in the 4^th. Merandy then retired 9 straight before allowing a leadoff walk to Naylor in the 7^th. Despite his great start, the GCL Mets didn’t score until Maria doubled and Franklin Correa singled him home in the 7^th, so it was almost wasted.

This is the third season in the Mets organization for Gonzalez, and his first season stateside. He spent his first two seasons with the DSL Mets, winning the pitcher of the month award in August, 2014. Even though it’s only 22 IP so far, considering his great start in the league (31.6 K%: 3.8 BB%), it’s not unreasonable to think he’ll at least get time with Kingsport this year. It looks like he has a YouTube channel, so maybe he'll upload some videos with him pitching soon, but enjoy the 'slideshow' below.

           

Video he posted with pictures of his journey to the Mets

Magnetic waves move along black hole jets like a cracked whip. Details: http://t.co/Oy9ihyIO7f @NASAJPL #NASABeyond pic.twitter.com/Uw0wXij1uK

— NASA (@NASA) July 9, 2015