The Pirates are promoting infielder Nick Gonzales from Class AAA Indianapolis ahead of this weekend's series against the Cubs, per source.
Gonzales has had quite the year with the Indians, ranking among the International League leaders in various offensive categories. Through 30 games, he ranked second in batting average (.358) behind teammate Jake Lamb and was first in hits (43), doubles (14) and runs scored (33). He carried a .431 on-base percentage and a .608 slugging percentage for a 1.039 OPS, while adding four home runs and 19 RBIs.
The Pirates' seventh overall pick in the 2020 draft, Gonzales appeared in 35 games at the major-league level last season. He slashed .209/.268/.348 with two homers, 13 RBIs and 12 runs scored. Of his 24 hits, a total of 11 -- including eight doubles -- went for extra bases.
From a defensive standpoint, Gonzales should provide the Pirates with a versatile boost considering his ability to contribute around the infield. He's spent 124 1/3 innings over at second base and 98 over at short this season. He's also benefitted from 26 2/3 innings worth of reps over at third base.
Gonzales will join fellow Indianapolis teammate Paul Skenes on the big-league roster this weekend after it was announced Wednesday that Skenes will make his major-league debut on Saturday.
