Position: SS
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 200 lbs
Bats/Throws: L/R
Born: 09/20/2002
College: UCLA
How Acquired: Drafted 9th round, 264th Overall, 2024
Bonus: $187,500
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: 2027
Minor League Free Agency: 2030
Options Left: 3
Overview
Gourson is an offense-oriented middle infielder. He played mostly second in college, but the Pirates announced him as a shortstop. His speed and arm are average. He has good ability to get the barrel on the ball, although he has more extra-base than over-the-fence power. He works the count and had a 15% walk rate in college, but also struck out at a 22% rate. His best season came as a sophomore, as he hit 319/438/515. He dropped off to 288/427/482 as a junior. Baseball America ranked Gourson 231st among draft prospects, MLB Pipeline 158th. He signed for $8,600 less than the slot amount.
2024
The Pirates sent Gourson to Bradenton a couple weeks after he signed. He put up a .780 OPS in 11 games, mostly due to ten walks, with an equal number of strikeouts. The team moved him up to Greensboro where he got into another 11 games and didn’t hit much. Gourson mostly played second, with just a few games at third.
Stats
Transactions
July 15, 2024: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 9th round, 264th overall pick; signed on July 22.