Pittsburgh Pirates: Eight Prospects Rank in FanGraphs Top 130

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 18: Ke'Bryan Hayes #13 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action during the game against the St. Louis Cardinals in game two of a doubleheader at PNC Park on September 18, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 18: Ke'Bryan Hayes #13 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action during the game against the St. Louis Cardinals in game two of a doubleheader at PNC Park on September 18, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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Pittsburgh Pirates
PITTSBURGH, PA – AUGUST 23: A general view of the field during the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park on August 23, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

86th Ranked Prospect

Although this prospect has never played in a professional game it speaks volumes that he is already in the top 100 list. This prospect we ar talking about is 2021 first-round pick Nick Gonzales. Gonzales is one of many up the middle prospects for the Pittsburgh Pirates that has the potential to be an above league average hitter in the Majors. In 2019 Gonzales hit for a strong .432/.532/.773 slash line in 220 at-bats at the NCAA level.

When he showed up on the scene in 2020 at the alternate training site in Altoona, players were saying that he just screamed professional. Mason Martin, another player I interviewed, mentioned he showed up the first day and instantly was drawing attention. Good news for Pittsburgh Pirates fans his ETA to the Majors right now is 2023, which is very exciting.

Honestly, an arrival during the 2022 season is well within the realm of possibility too. Gonzlaes may have the highest floor of any prospect in the Pirate farm system. With his raw hitting ability, he could quickly hit his way to the Majors. I’d expect Gonzales to jump up the list soon as well.

Longenhagen said this about Gonzales:

"“Gonzales put up silly numbers (1.249 OPS in 128 games) at New Mexico State and looks like a .300 hitter, but the power is fringy, and he’ll need to slide over to second base as a pro.”"