Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Checking in on 2022 Draft Picks at Bradenton
By Marty Leap
![Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Frumbunter-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2017-2F07-2F18772089-850x560-70387ff3027d09a3cdac52f7e66e9e9d.jpg)
Five position players that were drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in this past July’s draft are currently at Low-A Bradenton, how are they performing thus far?
The Pittsburgh Pirates had a college heavy draft in 2022. Four college hitters that the Pirates selected this past July, a five hitters total, have already start to log significant playing time with the Low-A Bradenton Marauders. Today, we will check in on how these four hitters are performing thus far.
Fifth-round pick Tres Gonzalez
In the fifth-round of the draft the Pittsburgh Pirates selected outfielder Tres Gonzalez with the 140th overall pick in the draft. Gonzalez was selected out of Georgia Tech and is off to a strong start.
Gonzalez has arguably been the most impressive 2022 draft pick thus far. Through his first 92 plate appearances with Bradenton, the 21-year-old Gonzalez hit for a .325/.413/.400 slash line to go with a wRC+ of 139.
Gonzalez has a 9.8% walk rate, which is slightly better than average, and his 13.0% strikeout rate is well below the league average strikeout rate for hitters. While Gonzalez has yet to hit his first professional home run, he has collected four doubles and a triple. He has also stolen seven bases. The strong start to Gonzalez’s professional career has been a pleasant surprise.