Morning Rundown: Nick Gonzales Back To Triple-A, What's Next?
The former first round pick was optioned back to Indianapolis after struggling with the Pirates, but what can be solved back in the minors?
When the Pirates drafted Nick Gonzales back in 2020, they were drafting one of the top hitting prospects in the entire draft, and obvious hopes for that is he moves quickly through the system.
Injuries played a part in slowing him down from making his debut, but that wasn’t the only thing, as Gonzales was exposed for his struggles against breaking, and off speed pitches.
Noted for his approach and hit tool, Gonzales has struck out 28% of his plate appearances in the minors, with a 27.3% rate in his time with the Pirates so far.
To make room for Alfonso Rivas on the major league roster, Gonzales was optioned back to Triple-A Indianapolis.
Looking at the current construction of the roster, it was the right call to make. Liover Peguero has been hitting well, and Alika Williams has been the best defender of the trio. Vinny Capra likely isn’t in any long-term plans but he does fit in better if they plan on giving the other two the majority of the playing time.
Still, getting booted back to Triple-A while the 27-year-old Capra (with all of six major league at-bats) stays isn’t the most ideal of scenarios, especially for a former Top-10 pick.
So, what’s next for Gonzales? Does going back to Triple-A give him the chance to set things right and work towards another promotion?
When it comes to Gonzales, it’s not that simple. Usually when a player is sent back to the minors when they are struggling, it’s so they can work on something specific - which we know what it is in this case.
Gonzales was a collective 5-for-47 (.106) against breaking and off-speed pitches during his first stint in the majors, while striking out 35.9% of his plate appearances and has whiffed on nearly half his swings against them.
Ok, we know what have to work on in Indianapolis, right?
Well, when it’s been a preexisting issue for Gonzales, even in the minors, and he never really showed too much of an ability to adjust there, then this probably should have been the expectation once he made the majors.
Does going back to Indianapolis really do anything to the bigger problem, or question mark Gonzales is going to face going forward?
Sending Gonzales back to Triple-A was absolutely the right call, of the three players currently fighting for bulk of the playing time at the middle infield positions, he was falling behind the other two.
It’s just, at this point the only thing really left for Gonzales is to prove he can either hit major league breaking/off-speed pitches, or that he can’t.
Neither of which can be found out in the minors.
Josiah Sightler was added to the Pirates Top 30 Prospects on MLB Pipeline after Henry Davis graduated. Outside of what Lonnie White Jr. is doing in Bradenton right now, Sightler might be one of the hottest players in the entire system.
One interesting note from his write up on Pipeline, aside from a ‘50’ grade for power, is the above average arm rating and note that he may be an option to play right field.
Josiah Sightler: Patience At Plate Led To Big Hits For Bradenton Marauders
After missing the first part of the season, Josiah Sightler has been working quickly to make up for lost time. It took him only six games to hit out of the Complex League, before taking on Single-A pitching with the Marauders. Sightler was one of the few position players taken by the Pirates in the 2022 draft, and as a senior signing out of South Carolina, not much was originally thought of him as a prospect.
He was once a two-way player, so he has a strong arm, but has been limited to first base due to an injury that delayed the start to his season. That will be something to watch, as if he can play right field, that helps increase his value.
Minor League Recap 8/3
Indianapolis Indians - 7 vs Gwinnett Stripers - 4
Top Hitter - Miguel Andujar: 3-6, 2 R, RBI, HR (15)
Top Pitcher - Hunter Stratton: 2 IP, BB, 5 K
Altoona Curve - 6 vs Richmond Flying Squirrels - 0
Top Hitter - Jackson Glenn: 2-4, 2 R, 3 RBI, BB, HR (3),
Top Pitcher - Sean Sullivan: W, 5 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 2 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 6 vs Asheville Tourist - 3
Top Hitter - Malcom Nunez: 2-2, R, 3 RBI, 2 BB, 2B
Top Pitcher - Po-Yu Chen: 5 IP, H, ER, 7 K
Bradenton Marauders - 4 vs Tampa Tarpons - 7
Top Hitter - Lonnie White Jr.: 2-4, R, 2 RBI, HR (4), 2B
Top Pitcher - Owen Kellington: 4 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
FCL Pirates - 4 vs FCL Braves - 5
Top Hitter - Eddy Rodriguez: 2-4, 2 RBI, 2B
Top Pitcher - Luigi Hernandez: 3 IP, 2 H, 5 K
DSL Pirates Gold - 2 vs DSL Red Sox Blue - 0
Top Hitter - Ronny Aguiar: 3-4, R, RBI, 2B, 3B
Top Pitcher - Carlos Castillo: 4 IP, H, 2 BB, 5 K
DSL Pirates Black - 4 vs DSL Red Sox Red - 9
Top Hitter - Carlos Caro: 1-4, 2 RBI, 2B
Top Pitcher - Brandison Polanco: 2.2 IP, 2 K
The real benefit for Nick will be the ability to play every day and to be able to work on what he now knows he must master if he is to be a regular with a long career in the Show. Playing sporadically in Pgh will not be as much benefit as playing every day in Indy.
"safe" college bats, amirite?