Pittsburgh Pirates 2021 Previews: IF Nick Gonzales
The 2020 MLB Draft was not Ben Cherington's first go around, but it was his first chance to make a good impression with Pittsburgh Pirates fans. With the season being delayed, there was no way to judge his team's on-field performance so this was their first chance to evaluate his eye for talent. While many thought he would go with a pitcher or a catcher, Cherington had his eye on the best talent available. That is why he picked infielder Nick Gonzales at #7 overall out of New Mexico State. During the shortened season, Gonzales led the nation in all three major offensive categories in 2020 hitting .448 with 12 home runs and 36 RBI in 16 games played.
Even though he hasn't gotten a chance to play in a live game yet in pro baseball, he has gotten a taste of the pro ball experience. He participated at the Pirates alternate training site last season and was invited to his first Big League Spring Training this season. While he hasn't gotten a lot of opportunities to play yet due to the shortened schedule, he has made the most of the opportunities that he has had to this point. In 12 Spring Training at-bats, Gonzales has hit .250 (3-12) with one home run and three RBI. He hit his first Spring Training home run the other day, and although he still has things to work on, he is turning into a promising young prospect. Today, we look at where Gonzales may start his Major League career and the impact that he brings to the Pirates organization in 2021.
From Walk-On To First Rounder
When Nick Gonzales went to New Mexico State in 2018, he wasn't a highly recruited prospect. He didn't even earn a scholarship to New Mexico State, instead of joining the baseball team as a walk-on during his Freshman year. However, he would quickly show that he could be so much more than a walk-on bursting onto the scene. He hit an astounding .347 with nine home runs and 36 RBI and quickly earned the respect of his coaches and teammates. Not only was he performing at New Mexico State, but every off-season he went to the Cape Cod League to continue to improve his skills. Because he wasn't playing in the SEC or the Big 10 or any of the other power conferences, scouts were questioning his numbers based on the competition he was facing.
That is when Gonzales went to the Cape Cod League for his second season in 2019 and earned the respect of his peers again. He went on to win the Cape Cod League MVP and hit .351 with seven home runs and 33 RBI in 42 games. He showed that he can still perform against some of the best talent that college baseball had to offer and was proving just how good of a hitter he was. He got off to a hot start during his Junior Year when he hit .448 with 12 home runs and 36 RBI, but then the season got shut down due to the COVID-19. However, Gonzales did enough to earn the respect of Major League scouts as he was projected to go in the first round. When he was still available at #7, Cherington jumped on the opportunity, taking the 21-year old and beginning his professional career.
Gonzalez would end up signing with the Pirates on June 24th, 2020, but of course, the start of his professional career was a little different than he imagined. He started his year working at his home in La Cruces, New Mexico, and got a chance to work with a former Pirates legend. Gonzales routinely worked out with former Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson. The duo was caught on video several times turning double plays and Wilson had strong praise for the young Gonzales. He said that Gonzales was going to be a good player for the Pirates and that his defensive skills were good. Gonzales ended the year at the Pirates Alternate Training site where he officially made the transition from shortstop to second base and learned his role in the organization.
Impacting In His First Full Season
Nick Gonzales has gotten to experience a lot more already than many players experience during their first professional season. He has already appeared in his first Spring Training as a member of Big League camp and has gotten to spend time with the Major League coaches. He may not have had a lot of experience on the field itself, but when he did get in games he has made the most of it. He is hitting .250 with a home run and three RBI in 12 at-bats this spring, and his first home run was a no-doubter. He launched the solo home run to left field and helped the Pirates defeat the Atlanta Braves on March 24th. With all of the hitting he did in college, the Pirates are hoping that is a preview of things to come.
He was hitting the ball well at the alternate training site and putting on a show for the coaches in Altoona. The big question with Gonzales is where the Pirates will place him to start the 2021 season. If the Pirates wanted to be aggressive, they could start him off in Double-A Altoona. This would allow him to play against some of the top Minor League talent and prove his skills. However, the problem with doing this is that if Gonzales struggles it could put a damper on his confidence early on. However, it would give him a chance to play with some of the same guys he has been playing with this spring-like Ji-Hwan Bae and Travis Swaggerty. The goal is to get Gonzales on the right track and get him to Pittsburgh when he is ready to help lead the next charge to the playoffs.
2021 is going to be a year full of firsts for Nick Gonzales. No matter where he is assigned, he will get his first professional baseball experience. The Pirates have made it pretty clear that Gonzales is going to start out as a second baseman, and may go to High-A Greensboro, where he can have a chance to play every day. Look for him to start his career hitting lower in the batting order to give him some confidence. However, if he is able to breakout, he should move up the batting order and be a prolific top-of-the-lineup guy. He may still be a few years away from PNC Park, but the Pirates are getting a glimpse of the future right now in Spring Training.
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