American League
● Red Sox teenage righthander Wilkelman Gonzalez has exciting upside PAGE 53
● Michael Stefanic resembles a past Angels prospect who offered versatility and feel to hit PAGE 54
● Mariners lefthander Brandon Williamson is right where he needs to be PAGE 55
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
The Orioles shut down 23-year-old out-fielder Kyle Stowers after three games in the Arizona Fall League with a lower back injury. The club described it as “minor” and said the move was precautionary.
Stowers probably earned a rest anyway.
The 2019 second-rounder out of Stanford played for three affiliates this season and popped an organization-leading 27 home runs while batting .278/.383/.514 in 124 games. The Orioles chose Stowers as their co-minor league player of the year with catcher Adley Rutschman.
Stowers went 2-for-10 with a double for Mesa before the Orioles sent him home to provide a longer stretch of time off and a more normal timeline for his offseason program in preparation for spring training.
Stowers began the 2021 season at High-A Aberdeen, spent most of his time at Double-A Bowie and climbed to Triple-A Norfolk in September.
“Obviously, I have a high belief in myself as a player and what I’m capable of doing on the field,” Stowers said. “But you know, that being said, I wasn’t necessarily expecting anything in terms of moving up.
“It’s been fun to kind of experience different coaches, different levels, different players. And then having good friends at each level has been a lot of fun.
“There’s a special group of people in this organization, and everywhere you go, you’re able to fit right in, get comfortable, and it’s made an easier transition onto the field.”
Stowers said he made his biggest gains with his mindset and staying resilient.
“I think that my early stretch in Double-A, I got off to a slow start and just kind of didn’t get into bad habits of feeling bad for myself,” he said. “I kept that belief in myself that whether I start the game off with a hit or a strikeout, it didn’t change my confidence going into the next at-bat.”
—ROCH KUBATKO
BOSTON RED SOX
When Rollie Pino first saw Wilkelman Gonzalez in Venezuela, the Red Sox co-director of international scouting believed the righthander represented a special talent.
At the time, Gonzalez was “5-foot-10 and about 140 pounds soaking wet,” Pino recalled. Though Gonzalez was throwing in the mid 80s, Pino saw the ease and athleticism of his delivery and the ability to throw a fastball with life, a changeup with depth and a true curveball.
He believed Gonzalez had the potential for three plus pitches.
“His delivery was really good. He was a good athlete. His arm speed was really good. And
