Nick Gonzales' recent rehab stint suggests potential Pirates position change

Young Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Nick Gonzales is nearing his return to the major leagues after the middle infielder suffered a non-displaced ankle fracture in his first game of the year. It was in a very Pirates-esque unlucky manner, as the injury came right after Gonzales hit a home run. However, he is now beginning his rehab, and with the way Indianapolis is utilizing him, the Pirates may potentially be setting him up to play shortstop upon his return.

So far, upon his return to Triple-A, Gonzales has made three starts at shortstop and four at second base. The Pirates originally drafted Gonzales as a shortstop when they took him seventh overall in the 2020 draft. While he has primarily been a second baseman throughout his professional career, he has 436.1 innings logged at short in the minor leagues, plus 121 more frames throughout his playing time in the bigs. Last season, Gonzales had -4 defensive runs saved but +2 outs above average at second base. His throws from 2B averaged 79.5 MPH, which was about average for the position in 2024.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa is the Pirates' current incumbent shortstop. He is turning in some solid numbers this year with the bat, slashing .293/.343/.380 with a 102 wRC+ across 170 plate appearances. He is only walking in 5.3% of his plate appearances, but has a strong 15.9% K%. IKF gets hits and gets on base at a solid rate and has consistently helped turn the Pirates' lineup over.

Will Pirates switch Nick Gonzales with IKF after rehab assignment?

IKF's defense at shortstop has consistently received mixed reviews from defensive metrics, and 2025 is no exception. DRS loves his glovework at short, at +2. However, OAA grades him out as a negative and currently places him at -3. This has been consistent for his career, as Kiner-Falefa has +30 DRS and -11 OAA. Among the 31 players who have made at least 100 throws from shortstop, his average of 79.3 MPH ranks just 27th. But Kiner-Falefa has always graded out as a better defender to the right of second base. He has +10 DRS and +2 OAA at 2B throughout 547.1 innings.

Gonzales has also displayed better range up the middle than IKF. While Kiner-Falefa isn't slow, and his 27.4 feet/second sprint speed is slightly better than average, Nicky G was in the 93rd percentile of sprint speed in 2024, coming in at an average of 29.3 feet/second. Gonzales' superior range is also supported by outs above average, which is a range-based defensive metric.

This could also be a hint of things to come with how the Pirates will handle the middle infield beyond 2025. IKF is a free agent after this season, but the Pirates have top prospect Termarr Johnson waiting in the wings. He is currently tearing up Double-A pitching before his 20th birthday. They also have Mitch Jebb, and while he has primarily been playing center field this season, but was initially drafted as a middle infielder and still sees playing time at second base.

Moving Gonzales to shortstop now gives them a better overall fielder and moves IKF over to second base, where his defensive profile would fit better. It also prepares Gonzales for the position after 2025, in the event they let Kiner-Falefa walk in free agency and replace him with either Johnson or Jebb.