Pirates bring up infield prospect Nick Gonzales, who was drafted 7th overall in 2020

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This article was published 23/06/2023 (863 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

MIAMI (AP) — The skidding Pittsburgh Pirates called up another first-round draft pick Friday, selecting touted infielder Nick Gonzales from Triple-A Indianapolis.

Gonzales made his major league debut Friday night, starting at second base and batting seventh against the Miami Marlins. He went 0 for 3 with two strikeouts in a 3-1 victory that snapped Pittsburgh’s 10-game losing streak.

Gonzales became the second player chosen in the first round by Pirates general manager Ben Cherington to get called up this week. Henry Davis, the top overall pick in 2021, was promoted Monday from Indianapolis and hit his first big league homer in Thursday’s 6-4 loss at Miami.

The 24-year-old Gonzales was Pittsburgh’s top pick and seventh overall in 2020 out of New Mexico State. Before his promotion, he batted .257 with six homers and 27 RBIs in 57 games with Indianapolis.

“He was swinging the bat well and we’ve talked about when we think guys are at the point where they’re ready or close to being ready, we’re going to bring them to the big leagues if we have an opportunity,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “Right now we have an opportunity to get him some at-bats.”

Pittsburgh placed All-Star outfielder Bryan Reynolds on the injured list Thursday.

To open a roster spot for Gonzales, the team optioned outfielder Cal Mitchell to Indianapolis.

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