MLB Draft: Top pick Gonzales' 'just super-incredible' rise

Nick Gonzales always had that chip on his shoulder at New Mexico State. The 21-year-old middle infielder was a walk-on for the Aggies in 2018, so he had to fight for a spot and an opportunity to play.

On Wednesday, it paid off, as he was selected seventh overall by the Pirates in the Major League Baseball amateur draft.

"Just to come from where I was a few years ago, worried about travel, worried about making the team, worried about getting a scholarship and everything, to be here now ... it's just super incredible," Gonzales said in a Zoom call with reporters Wednesday.



Gonzales' work ethic and drive made that rapid ascent possible, in addition to support  from his former coach, Brian Green, and his girlfriend, but his parents were the ones who made that dream possible.

"My parents are number one," Gonzales said. "They are my biggest supporters because they helped me through that first year financially."

The thing is, Gonzales didn't have to walk-on. He had scholarship offers from other schools, but New Mexico State was the right fit for him, both in terms of baseball instruction and location.

"I just wanted to be close to home," Gonzales said. "New Mexico State is three-and-a-half hours from my house. My parents would be able to go see me all the time, and it's a great program."

So Gonzales made a deal with his parents. They would pay for his first year of school, because they knew he would work hard and get a scholarship for year two.

That's exactly what happened, and that scholarship for Gonzales ended up being a terrific decision for New Mexico State. Gonzales slashed a mind-boggling .432/.532/.773 with 16 home runs and 80 RBIs his sophomore year to win the NCAA batting championship. In 2020, he homered 12 times in just 16 games before the rest of the season was cancelled.

"The best to ever wear an Aggie uniform," New Mexico State coach Mike Kirby said in the school's press release.

Gonzales was rated as the No. 5 overall draft prospect by Baseball America and MLB Pipeline. FanGraphs projects him to be a top-100 prospect once he signs.

Gonzales' best tool is definitely hitting, with his power coming from plus bat speed and an ability to get his hands through the zone quickly.

"I really like to get the ball deep in the zone and see it longer," Gonzales said about his approach at the plate. "I just trust my quick hands and let the barrel work."

Here are some swings he took in the Cape Cod league last summer: