Pirates call up 2020 1st round pick Nick Gonzales from Triple-A

Justin Guerriero | Thursday, May 9, 2024 8:12 p.m.

Pittsburgh Pirates’ Nick Gonzales celebrates as he crosses home plate after hitting a two-run home run off Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Colin Rea during the second inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, July 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

As Paul Skenes prepares to make his MLB debut this weekend, another top performer at Triple-A Indianapolis (and fellow former first-round draft pick) is also getting the call up to Pittsburgh.

The Pirates are promoting infielder Nick Gonzales, selected seventh overall by the Pirates in the 2020 MLB Draft, a source confirmed to the Tribune-Review.

Gonzales, 24, is enjoying a torrid start to the year with the Indians, batting .358 with a team-high 43 hits, 14 doubles and four home runs.

He has 19 RBIs and a 1.039 OPS through 30 games played.

Gonzales made his MLB debut last year with the Pirates on June 23 and went on to appear in 35 big-league games, hitting .209 with two homers and 13 RBIs.

Primarily a second baseman, where he started 25 games with the Pirates last year, Gonzales also can play shortstop.

He was one of several players, including Ji Hwan Bae and Liover Peguero, who competed for the Pirates’ starting second baseman job out of spring training, with Jared Triolo ultimately coming out on top.

The Pirates have yet to announce any corresponding roster moves to allow for Gonzales’ recall.