With the No. 7 overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft, the Pittsburgh Pirates selected Nick Gonzales, second baseman, out of New Mexico State.
The Pirates, under the direction of new general manager Ben Cherington, officially made Gonzales their first pick early in the 2020 MLB Draft, and that selection represents the fourth infielder taken by the team in the first round in the past seven drafts. The Pirates selected Cole Tucker, Kevin Newman and Will Craig in Round 1 in three consecutive drafts from 2014-2016.
“We are excited to select Nick Gonzales with our first pick,” Cherington said in a statement. “Nick has been an elite college performer as a middle infielder both at New Mexico State and summer seasons. We’re equally impressed with the consistent improvement Nick has made since high school.
"Our area scout, Derrick Van Dusen, and regional crosschecker, Jesse Flores, did great work getting to know Nick as a person and player. We look forward to working with him in a Pirates uniform.”
With Gonzales, the appeal is hitting, hitting, hitting.
In fact, some scouts question his defense and his ability to play second at the MLB level. Gonzales also played shortstop during his most recent season as a junior at New Mexico State, but that seems even more unlikely at the next level. During a Zoom call with reporters after the selection, however, Gonzales said he feels comfortable at both second and shortstop and is dedicated to working on his defense, footwork and speed as he transitions to life as a pro.
But if that's such a major concern, what merits a No. 7 overall pick with him?
Well, there’s this: He slashed a ridiculous .399/.502/.747 with 37 home runs and 152 RBIs throughout his two-year-and-change collegiate career.
In 2020, through 16 games before the coronavirus pandemic cut his season short, Gonzales was even better, slashing .448/.610/1.155 with 12 home runs and 36 RBIs.
Yeah. Twelve home runs in 16 games.
That’ll work.
Jameson Taillon certainly approves:
BIG fan of this dudes swing ? love the pick!
— Jameson Taillon (@JTaillon19) June 10, 2020
Here's that swing Taillon mentions:
24 hrs away from the @MLBDraft for @Nick_Gonzales13.
Cage work. That sound is LOUD. ?@baseballpro report says “Nick has the quickest hands you’ll find in the draft.”
Harold Reynolds says, “I think he’s the best college baseball player in the country.”#ProAggies x #MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/eVMtmioxBA
— Adam Young (@youngpbp) June 10, 2020
Granted, Gonzales used an aluminum bat in college plus he played at 4,000-foot elevation in Las Cruces, N.M., plus the pitching of the Western Athletic Conference helped him out, but these are still just bonkers numbers. He sustained excellence throughout his collegiate career and during his time in the Cape Cod League, where he was the league MVP in 2019 (playing with a wooden bat, by the way). This all inspires confidence that Gonzales will be able to transition and make a splash at the next level, too.
Cherington and company certainly hope so.
Hey @Pirates ... you’re going to love our guy!#ProAggies x #MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/7JXRB4dByi
— NM State Baseball (@NMStateBaseball) June 10, 2020
Next up for the Pirates will be pick No. 31 in the competitive balance round A.
The team's full list of picks in the 2020 MLB Draft is as follows:
- Round 1, No. 7 overall (Gonzales)
- Competitive Balance Round A/Round 1, No. 31 overall
- Round 2, No. 44 overall (first pick on Day 2, beginning Thursday at 5 p.m. on MLB Network/ESPN 2)
- Round 3, No. 79 overall
- Round 4, No. 108 overall
- Round 5, No. 138 overall
