Bucs' Gonzales picking up where he left off in AFL

PEORIA, Ariz. -- One of the top hitters in the Arizona Fall League in 2021, Nick Gonzales has returned to the developmental circuit and picked up right where he left off.

Playing for the Peoria Javelinas a year ago, Gonzales ranked second in AFL in on-base percentage and third in batting while posting a .380/.483/.549 line. This season with the Surprise Saguaros, the Pirates middle infielder is off to a .429/.471/.714 start with three extra-base hits and six RBIs in his first four games. He helped the Saguaros defeat the Javelinas 6-5 on Friday with an RBI double and a sacrifice fly, leaving the clubs tied for the league's best record at 4-1.

Gonzales went seventh overall in the 2020 Draft after starring at New Mexico State. He led NCAA Division I in hitting in 2019 (.432) and homers in 2020 (12 in 16 games), sandwiched around a Cape Cod League MVP performance. His Fall League numbers have been just as gaudy as his college statistics.

"I just love it being from here," said Gonzales, a Tucson native ranked No. 93 on MLB Pipeline's Top 100 Prospects list. "I like the day games, I like the environment at night, it's nice and warm, having my family here getting to watch every game. I just enjoy hitting."

Gonzales started uncharacteristically slow in Double-A this season, batting .247/.366/.377 in the first two months before injuring his right heel running out a grounder. He missed the next two months with plantar fasciitis but quickly regained his smooth right-handed swing when he returned and started making hard contact to all fields again. He hit .286/.408/.505 in the final five weeks and has continued to rake during the first week of Fall League play.

While it's his offensive prowess that could make Gonzales a star, he's also in Surprise to hone his defense. A second baseman for most of his college and pro career, he has split his first four AFL games between second and shortstop this fall.

Gonzales' average arm is better suited for second base, but he said he welcomes the challenge of playing on the left side of the infield and trying to enhance his versatility. He improved his range at second base this season and says he feels more comfortable at both middle-infield positions.

Gonzales is part of a strong Pirates contingent on the Saguaros that also includes catcher Henry Davis, the No. 1 overall pick in 2021, and right-hander Quinn Priester, the highest-ranked pitching prospect in the Fall League. They're three of the best prospects in a deep Pittsburgh farm system that should reverse the fortunes of a struggling big league club in the near future.

"It's fun going to work every day with those guys, to learn from those guys," Gonzales said. "They're great prospects and great players. We have so many guys who aren't on the prospect list who are really, really good. Going to work with those guys every day is a blessing."

Center fielder Johan Rojas (Phillies) reached base in all four of his plate appearances, added a steal and scored two runs for Surprise. Right fielder Connor Kokx (Guardians) was Peoria's top performer, going 3-for-4 with a triple.