Pirates Prospect Watch: Nick Gonzales Homers And Plays 3B For First Time

It was quite the day for Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Nick Gonzales for the Surprise Saguaros in the Arizona Fall League on Thursday.

For the first time in his professional career, Nick Gonzales manned the hot corner as he was penciled in there for the Saguaros. Prior to that, Gonzales hadn’t even played third base in college at New Mexico State.

In the Pirates’ system, the 2020 first-round pick has spent the majority of his time in the field at second base with a handful of opportunities at shortstop.

The new position didn’t seem to faze Gonzales, who belted his first homer of the AFL season, a two-run shot in the first inning.

Nick Gonzalez of the Pittsburgh #pirates/ Surprise Saguaros hits a two run homer run to pull his team within one. #AFL2022. #MLB ⁦@SurpriseStadium⁩ pic.twitter.com/yba9gr95YO

— Randy Mario Arellano (@twinstarcaptain) October 13, 2022

Gonzales’ home run came off of Will Bednar, brother of Pirates reliever David Bednar.

In addition to his long ball, Gonzales singled and drew a walk. The 23-year-old scored a pair of runs, but Surprise fell in a shootout 14-8 to the Scottsdale Scorpions.

After his big game at the plate, Gonzales is batting  .381 with a 1.176 OPS through his first six games.

Gonzales’ efforts have been big for the Saguaros, who currently sit in first place in the league with a record of 8-2.

In addition to Gonzales, Henry Davis went 1 for 3 at the plate while Blake Sabol drew a walk.

Omar Cruz tossed two more scoreless innings of relief.

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