{"id":567703,"date":"2026-02-12T06:45:18","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T06:45:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/567703\/"},"modified":"2026-02-12T06:45:18","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T06:45:18","slug":"former-top-10-pick-faces-pivotal-season-with-pirates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/567703\/","title":{"rendered":"Former Top 10 Pick Faces Pivotal Season with Pirates"},"content":{"rendered":"

Among the Pittsburgh Pirates players entering spring training, nobody is going into a more make-or-break season than Nick Gonzales<\/a>. The infielder was Ben Cherington\u2019s very first draft pick after taking over as the Pirates\u2019 general manager. The Bucs took him seventh overall in 2020. However, after many up-and-down seasons, 2026 will be a pivotal year for Gonzales.<\/p>\n

\"TheMar 27, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Nick Gonzales (39) celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run home run against the Miami Marlins during the sixth inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
\nNick Gonazales Entering Make-or-Break Season with the Pirates
\nLiving Up to the Hype<\/p>\n

Gonzales was living up to the hype of a top-10 selection when he first broke into pro ball. He swatted 18 home runs with an impressive 144 wRC+ at High-A in 2021. That earned him serious prospect notoriety going into 2022, ranking as a consensus top-50 prospect. While he was never able to replicate those numbers moving up the minor league ladder, Gonzales still showed the potential of being a solid, well-rounded player.<\/p>\n

Gonzales made his MLB debut in 2023 and struggled. It was only a 128 plate appearance sample size, but he turned in a meager .616 OPS, .268 wOBA, and 63 wRC+. He also struck out at a poor 28.1% clip and drew a free pass at a paltry 4.7% rate. However, Gonzales took a massive step forward in 2024.<\/p>\n

A Promising Start to His MLB Career<\/p>\n

Gonzales batted .270\/.311\/.398 with a .307 wOBA and 94 wRC+ over his next 387 trips to the plate. While he still had a poor BB% of 4.7%, he cut his K% significantly to 19.1%. He only hit seven home runs with a .128 isolated slugging percentage. On the plus side, Gonzales was above the 50th percentile of both xwOBA and xSLG%, showing there might be more in the tank.<\/p>\n

A Hot Start, Followed By a Lost Year<\/p>\n

The infielder immediately kicked 2025 off in a big way, going yard in his first game. Unfortunately, Gonzales suffered an ankle fracture while hitting that first home run of the year. That sidelined him until the start of June<\/a>. Overall, Gonzales\u2019 numbers took a sizable step back. He only hit .260\/.299\/.362 with a wRC+ clocking in at 82. While he continued to improve his K% to 17.1%, his walk rate remained relatively the same at 5.1%. He also hit for even less power. Gonzales hit five home runs over 408 plate appearances and had an ISO of .108.<\/p>\n

First home run of 2025 goes to Nick Gonzales \ud83d\udc4f pic.twitter.com\/uIkSoM3o4c<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) March 27, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Gonzales is primarily a second baseman, where defensive metrics are very split on his performance. He has -16 defensive runs saved at the keystone. However, he also has +5 outs above average at the same position. He also has playing time at third base and shortstop. As of right now, he is penciled in at shortstop, unless Konnor Griffin<\/a> supplants him during spring training.<\/p>\n

Where Does That Leave Gonzales Now?<\/p>\n

The biggest thing Gonzales needs to prove is that he can hit. He had a 12-percentage-point drop in wRC+. He also went from the 52nd percentile of xwOBA to just the 12th. His barrel rate also fell from 7.9% to just 4.5%. Even in 2024, when he had solid numbers, he was still 6% worse than league average. He didn\u2019t even do it over a full season and had fewer than 400 plate appearances.<\/p>\n

Another thing Gonzales will have to prove this year is his versatility. The Pirates acquired<\/a> second baseman Brandon Lowe<\/a> earlier this offseason, which pushes Gonzales off the keystone. If Griffin starts the year in the major leagues, Gonzales will be relegated to a utility bench role. However, even there, he could be overshadowed if the Pirates acquire a third baseman<\/a>. That would mean that Jared Triolo<\/a> becomes the Pirates\u2019 main utility infielder.<\/p>\n

Nick Gonzales has to show something for the Pirates in 2026. If he doesn\u2019t, he\u2019s going to get surpassed by more players than he already has. Top prospect Termarr Johnson<\/a> could make his MLB debut this year. Duce Gourson<\/a> had a breakout year last season. Even Jack Brannigan<\/a> got added to the 40-man roster. 2026 will be his make-or-break season.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Main Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

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