Carlos Gonzalez was the top prospect for Arizona in 2007 and Oakland in 2008.

On Thursday he looked like the best minor-league prospect for the Colorado Rockies.

“I had a chance to play in the major leagues when I was just 22,” Gonzalez said. “When you come back to the minors, you’re not a prospect. I’m here for a reason and that’s to get better.”

The 23-year-old center fielder couldn’t have been much better in a 14-4 rout of Sacramento at Security Service Field. Gonzalez was 5-for-6 with two triples, a double, five RBIs, three runs and a stole base. He even bunted for a hit.

Sweeter still, he took center stage against his former Sacramento teammates – and with Rockies assistant general manager Bill Geivett in attendance.

“I know all those guys very well and they were making fun of me before the game,” Gonzalez said of the River Cats. “When I laid down that bunt, they were surprised. But you play to win and the game was close then.”

Gonzalez finished a home run short of the cycle.

“He’s a special player,” Sky Sox manager Tom Runnells said in a tone usually reserved for the assessment of All-Stars. “It’s just a matter of him being consistent. He’s set that bar pretty high.”

Every Sky Sox starter contributed to the season-best total of 21 hits, with Eric Young Jr. and Jon Herrera collecting three each. Kenny Perez, Christian Colonel and Paul Phillips each had a pair.

The Sky Sox (14-6) staked starter Alan Johnson (4-0) to a 6-1 lead and he left after five innings with a 9-3 edge.

Gonzalez played 46 games with Sacramento last season after appearing in 85 games with the Athletics, when he hit .242 with 22 doubles and 26 RBIs.

Runnells figures Gonzalez will get another shot at the big leagues and will play him in the corner outfield spots as preparation.

“He’s an exceptional center fielder, smooth with a fantastic arm,” Runnells said, “but the other guy (Rockies center fielder Dexter Fowler) is settling in. So we’ll play Gonzalez in a couple of spots to stay ready.”

Gonzalez has 27 RBIs, four behind Pacific Coast League leader Jake Fox.

“(Gonzalez) turns on the ball and also hits it hard in the gaps to the big part of the field,” Runnells said. “We’re really pleased with his discipline and that shows in his RBIs.”

TODAY

Sacramento at Sky Sox, 6:05 p.m., 1460 AM

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