Gonzo returns to MLB after slashing .358/.431/.608 through 30 games in Indianapolis.
Paul Skenes isn’t the only one coming to Pittsburgh this weekend.
After starting the season on a hot note in Triple-A, 2020 first-round pick Nick Gonzales will get another chance with the Pirates as Andrew Destin with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that he will be recalled prior to Friday’s series opener with the Chicago Cubs.
Source: Pirates are calling up Nick Gonzales from Triple-A Indianapolis
— Andrew Destin (@AndrewDestin1) May 9, 2024
Through 30 games, Gonzales is slashing .358/.431/.608 with four home runs and 19 RBI. He also has a hit in six of his last nine games with the Indians. He’s also cut his strikeout rate from 26 to 28 percent to an impressive 17.5 percent.
Because of these numbers, Gonzales was named the Indians’ Player of the Month for April.
Like it or hate it, the Pirates needed to shake things up with their roster to try and find an offensive spark. This season, they rank fifth in strikeouts (352) and 27th in team hitting (.220) and runs (134).
On the other hand, infielders Jared Triolo and Alika Williams are struggling to find rhythm at the plate. Triolo has compiled 31 strikeouts, which is fifth on the team, and Williams is 11-for-46 at the plate with only three extra-base hits. Not only that, but of their 36 combined hits, only five were for extra bases.
In comparison, Gonzales piled up 20 extra-base hits with Indianapolis.
Williams is likely the odd man out here since Triolo is versatile in the field and his glove is slightly better. Triolo has accrued one OAA while Williams is at -2.
Will this promotion fix all of the Pirates’ hitting woes? Probably not. But at least they’re trying to (slightly) bolster the offense for Jared Jones and Paul Skenes.