FutureSox sits down with 2007 Southern League All-Star 
Interview Conducted by Barons Media Director Paul Kennedy 

Gio Gonzalez is already well traveled as a young prospect. Originally nabbed as a supplemental pick in the 2004 draft, Gio has been noted as a lefty with a higher-than-average ceiling. Traded to Philadelphia in a deal for Jim Thome and reacquired in a deal with Freddy Garcia, Gio is happy to be back in the Sox organization.

What’s your plan on the mound? How do you go about attacking a hitter?
My plan is to first locate the pitch and make sure I throw for a strike.

What are some things you need to improve on to make it to the majors?
I really need to improve on my change-up.

What pitches do you throw, and how confident are you in each of them?
Fastball: I’m confident because of the velocity of the pitch.
Curveball: I’m confident because of the break of the pitch
Change-Up: Still working on it!

Both you, Jack Egbert, and Adam Russell have been pitching extremely well so far this year. Do you guys have any friendly competition going?
No, we just want to win the game for the team.

Recently a number of White Sox prospects have had trouble adapting and fitting in at the big-league level (Brandon McCarthy, Brian Anderson, Sean Tracey). Have you paid any attention to the situations involving these players? Has the organization said anything to you about them? Do you have any reaction to the way the organization has dealt with them?
They’re all great ballplayers but I’m really focused on my team and myself. I don’t really have a chance to read up on them.

Who’s the funniest guy in the Sox minor-league system?
The funniest guy on my team is hard to pick, but it would probably be Oneli Perez or Jack Egbert.

If you weren’t a baseball player, what would you be doing?
Working in the family business. We have the scooter shop in Miami.

What baseball player did you idolize growing up?
Tom Glavine.

When you were traded from the White Sox, did Kenny ever give you an indication that you would be back with the club?
No.

Everybody knows about your curve, but what can you tell us about your fastball in terms of velocity and movement?
My fastball comes in around 93 mph and it moves on its own.

When you first got the news that you had been traded back to the White Sox, what was your reaction?
I was really happy to be back with a team of people I consider friends, and grew up in the minor leagues with.

What did/have the Sox told you about your future with this club? Any talks with Kenny in the Spring?
They’re happy to have me back!

Without burning any bridges, what was the difference between the Sox and Philly orgs?
Just the colors, that’s all.

When you look into the future of your career, do you see yourself as the Ace of the staff? If not, what role do you think you will play?
I see myself helping the White Sox win another World Series.

Everyone knows about your great breaking pitch, but how confident are you in throwing your other pitches in a 3-2 count?
I’m 100% confident throwing my fastball in any count, but I’m still working on the change-up right now.

What is your out pitch? 
Curveball.

What major leaguer would you compare yourself to?
Too hard to pick one.

Do you feel more pressure to perform knowing that you are a top prospect and you’ve been traded for one of the best sluggers in the game along with a guy who has been a very good pitcher in the big leagues?
No, I’m just happy to be a part of these trades.

Some people believe that your small stature is a disadvantage, do you see it as one?
No, I don’t. There are lots of smaller players in the big leagues who will someday be Hall of Famers.

What was it like being in Major League camp this year?
It was a lot of fun, and a great experience with the White Sox this spring.

FutureSox.com would like to extend its deepest thanks to both Gio and Paul Kennedy as both took time out of their very busy schedules to fit us in.