Morning Rundown: Pirates to call up Nick Gonzales
Former first round pick to make 2024 season debut
Paul Skenes won’t be the only former first-round pick joining the Pittsburgh Pirates this weekend for their weekend series against the Chicago Cubs.
Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette reported that the Pirates were going to promote Nick Gonzales to the majors.
The first draft pick under the Ben Cherington front office, Gonzales made his major league debut last year and struggled to make consistent contact, something that wasn’t completely new for him through his time in the minors.
Starting this season with Indianapolis, Gonzales has emerged as one of the better hitters in the International League. Gonzales is among the league leaders in hits, OPS, extra-base hits, and total bases.
He’s also dropped his strikeout rate down to 17.5%.
While it isn’t official just yet, the Gonzales recall is going to require a corresponding move.
The two most obvious moves would be Alika Williams (73 wRC+) and Jared Triolo (62 wRC+).
Indianapolis Indians placed RHP Brad Case on the 7-day injured list retroactive to May 7, 2024
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Top Exit Velocity
Malcom Nunez - IND - 108.1 mph - Double
Liover Peguero - IND - 106.4 mph - GIDP
Malcom Nunez - IND - 106.2 mph - Groundout
Solomon Maguire - BRD - 105.4 mph - Triple
Ji-Hwan Bae - IND - 104.9 mph - Home Run
Top Pitch Velocity
Brent Honeywell - IND - 97.2 mph
Connor Sadzeck - IND - 96.8 mph
Connor Sadzeck - IND - 96.7 mph
Connor Sadzeck - IND - 96.4 mph
Connor Sadzeck - IND - 96.4 mph
Most Whiffs
Wilber Dotel - GBO - 15
Carlson Reed - BRD - 14
JP Massey - GBO - 10
Po-Yu Chen - ALT - 9
Geronimo Franzua - IND - 9
Indianapolis Indians - 9 vs Louisville Bats - 6
Top Hitter - Ji-Hwan Bae: 2-5, R, 5 RBI, HR
Top Pitcher - Geronimo Franzua: 3 IP, H, BB, 4 K
Altoona Curve - 4 vs Somerset Patriots - 7
Top Hitter - Dustin Peterson: 2-4, R, 2B
Top Pitcher - Po-Yu Chen: 6 IP, 4 H, ER, BB, 3 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 3 vs Bowling Green Hot Rods - 6
Top Hitter - Maikol Escotto: 2-2, R, RBI
Top Pitcher - Jaden Woods: IP, H, BB, 2 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 7 vs Bowling Green Hot Rods - 8
Top Hitter - Nick Cimillo: 2-4, 2 R, RBI, 2B, HR
Top Pitcher - Luis Peralta: 2 IP, 3 H, 4 K
Bradenton Marauders - 8 vs St. Lucie Mets - 3
Top Hitter - Solomon Maguire: 2-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, 3B, HR
Top Pitcher - Carlson Reed: 5 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 7 K
FCL Pirates - 6 vs FCL Braves - 1
Top Hitter - Axiel Plaz: 1-2, R, 2 RBI, BB
Top Pitcher - David Matoma: IP, H, BB, 3 K
Probable Pitchers 5/10
Pittsburgh Pirates - Jared Jones
Indianapolis Indians - TBD
Altoona Curve - Drake Fellows
Greensboro Grasshoppers - Alessandro Ercolani
Bradenton Marauders - Michael Kennedy
To me the choice of Williams/Triolo being sent down is on the planned usage of the infielders. I still want Triolo to get regular to semi-regular at bats. If Nick will be playing full time like Triolo is now at 2B that just leaves backup infielder at bats/starts which I think Williams has filled fine and he should then stay in that role. If the plan is some type of Nick/Triolo job share at 2B with occasional starts elsewhere then Williams gets sent down.
Gonzales needs to PLAY every game, this needs to be his last tryout...