The Italian Baseball League club TELEMARKET RIMINI announced the signing of new shortstop Daniel Gonzalez, strengthening the roster for the 2009 season even more. The PIRATES already had signed pitchers Rafael Garcia, Jorge Balboa and Fernando Gutierrez, infielders Ivanon Coffie, Phil LoCascio and Eddie Rios, and outfielder Lorenzo Avagnina. The 27-year-old Gonzalez replaces Manny Alexander at short, who leaves for DANESI NETTUNO.
Gonzalez was born on November 20th, 1981 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He attended high school Florida Air Academy in Melbourne, Florida and was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 4th round of the 2000 amateur draft. He spent five years in the Major League organization, playing for Minor League teams as high as Double A (2004 and 2005). After his release during the 2005 season Gonzalez joined Lancaster of the Atlantic League (Independent League). One year later he got another shot with the High-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs in the Florida State League, but returned to Lancaster after 41 games.
It was his last opportunity for now to make it to the big leagues and he finished with a career Minor League batting average of .256 (OBP .326/SLG .325) in 548 games. He stayed with Lancaster the past two seasons, batting .299 (OBP .393/SLG .451) with eleven homeruns, 60 runs scored and 59 RBI in 110 in 2008.