What is the best offensive lineup the Pirates can make?

Third Base, Nick Gonzales

Nick Gonzales has impressed many people this season in Indianapolis and recently got called up to the Pirates. Gonzales got called up when Ke'Bryan Hayes originally got hurt, but he earned his call-up. Since being recalled, Gonzales has a batting average of .269 with two home runs and six runs batted in. He also has an OPS of .824, which includes an on-base percentage of .286 and a slugging percentage of .538.

These numbers don't stand out to many because of the small sample size, but he has been hitting the ball very hard and well since being recalled. He does not have enough at-bats to qualify for any percentiles, but his average exit velocity is at 93.0 miles per hour and his barrel percentage is at 8.7%. Both of these numbers are very impressive, but he still has a small sample size in the big leagues.

In triple-a this season, Gonzales posted a batting average of .358 with four home runs and 19 runs batted in. He also had an OPS of 1.039, which includes an on-base percentage of .431 and a slugging percentage of .608. He hit 14 doubles as well.

Last season, Gonzales struck out in triple-a at a rate of 26.6% and in the MLB at a rate of 28.1%. This season in triple-a, Gonzales has cut his strikeout percentage all the way down to 17.5%. His wRC+ with Indianapolis was also very high at 167.

Gonzales was Ben Cherington's first draft pick with the Pirates and it is good that he is finally breaking out at the plate. He has played 127 career innings at third base, but since Hayes is hurt, this is where he will play. When Hayes returns, Gonzales deserves a spot at second base.