Gonzales primed for future success in Steel City
Each offseason, MiLB.com goes position by position across each system and honors the players -- regardless of age or prospect status -- who had the best seasons in their organization. Click here to locate your favorite club.
Each offseason, MiLB.com goes position by position across each system and honors the players -- regardless of age or prospect status -- who had the best seasons in their organization. Click here to locate your favorite club.
Prior to and immediately following three straight playoff appearances from 2013-15, times were tough for the Pirates. There is, however, hope on the horizon.
Pittsburgh's farm system boasts five of MLB Pipeline's Top 100 prospects, led by No. 22 Henry Davis, who hit the ground running after his selection as the first overall pick in the 2021 Draft. No. 49
Pittsburgh's six domestic affiliates posted a collective 313-257 (.549) record, the best winning percentage in the National League and the fifth-best mark in baseball. Bradenton took home the Low-A Southeast championship while Greensboro led the system with 74 wins before succumbing to Bowling Green in the High-A East Finals.
The talent is noteworthy, and some prospects could move fast, but with the majority yet to set foot in Double-A, patience is a must. That might be a hard sell for fans who haven't seen their club win a World Series, much less play in one, since 1979. But the ship is pointed in the right direction.
Pirates Organization All-Stars
Catcher --
First baseman -- Mason Martin, Double-A Altoona (112 games), Triple-A Indianapolis (eight games): Checking in at No. 17 on the list of Pirates prospects, Martin proved his powerful 2019 campaign was no fluke. After blasting 35 long balls two years ago, the 22-year-old led the organization with 25 homers in 2021, as well as doubles (29) and RBIs (81). A 17th-round pick in 2017, Martin's power is Major League-caliber, but strikeouts remain an issue. The Washington native whiffed in 37.5 percent of his plate appearances while his walk rate dropped below 10 percent for the first time as a professional.
"Mason exemplifies what someone with a strong work ethic can do," Pirates director of coaching and player development John Baker said. "He's a hardworking guy who is focused on what he needs to do in order to be successful and that has made him a favorite of our Minor League coaches. He has monstrous power and we're looking forward to see what he does in 2022 against Triple-A pitching."
Second baseman -- Nick Gonzales, High-A Greensboro (80 games): That Gonzales is "only" deemed Pittsburgh's fourth-best prospect speaks to the organization's top-level talent. In his first season after being drafted seventh overall in 2020, Gonzales put together arguably the best all-around season by a Bucs farmhand in 2021. The 22-year-old batted .302/.385/.565 with 51 extra-base hits, 18 homers, 54 RBIs, 53 runs and a 150 wRC+ across 369 plate appearances. Gonzales put an exclamation point on his season in a two-game stretch at the end of August when he hit a grand slam as part of a three-homer, eight-RBI performance. His encore featured two more jacks, including a walk-off slam.
Unsurprisingly, the New Mexico State product was all over the organizational leaderboard despite missing more than a month due to a hand injury. But the Arizona native shook off the rust and finished on a high note, batting .364 in August with 10 roundtrippers and 28 RBIs before closing the book on the season with a .298 September. Gonzales carried his success over into the Arizona Fall League, where he earned a spot on the AFL Rising Stars squad and finished with a .380/.483/.549 slash line in 19 games for Peoria.
"Nick is a stud," Baker said. "If not for his injury, his numbers would have been even more prolific. Even though it was his first year, he's already an excellent all-around player and showed a quiet leadership teams look for in high Draft picks. Nick is one of those unique cases who can turn on a 97-mph fastball and then punch a down-and-away slider into the opposite field in his next at-bat. He's really something special."
Third baseman --
Congratulations Jared Triolo! #GsoHoppers pic.twitter.com/HfQQQZT4i2
— Greensboro Grasshoppers (@GSOHoppers) November 13, 2021
Shortstop --
"To say we're excited about Oneil is an understatement," Baker said. "You can see the physical tools when he's playing, but his focus and energy really turned a corner this year. When he missed time with his injury, he worked very hard to ensure a seamless transition once he returned. It showed a new level of maturity and work ethic. There were so many things to be excited about this year with Oneil. ... We think a great Major League player has arrived."
Outfielders
"Our [Minor League] player of the year, and deservedly so," Baker said. "Matt dominated with Greensboro and continued to perform after we moved him up to Altoona. It was such a treat to see him unlock that potential while letting let him just be himself. And when he's himself, he's a bad man to play against."
Sanchez slugged 17 home runs across 396 at-bats after going deep 13 times in more than 1,100 at-bats his first three years. The Dominican Republic native is developing a reputation as a five-tool talent who supplements his developing power with an ability to walk (12.6 percent) while keeping his strikeout totals at an acceptable level (16.5 percent).
"Lolo is a fantastic talent and someone who is starting to open some eyes," Baker said. "He's a stolen-base threat all of the time and has that rare combo of power without striking out a lot. He has a good grasp of the strike zone, takes his walks and adds excellent defense in center field. He was a big part of the success our Greensboro club had."
Plucked off waivers from Toronto in 2020, Alford was the Pirates' Opening Day center fielder but couldn't stick in the Majors. After clearing waivers in April, he tore apart Triple-A pitching, batting .307/.420/.593 with 14 homers and 41 RBIs in 56 games for Indianapolis. Now 27, the Mississippi native amassed a .717 OPS in 49 games with the Pirates after his promotion in August. He went deep five times among his 17 extra-base hits.
Right-handed starting pitcher --
"Any time you can find a guy who throws strikes with all of his pitches, you're in for a treat," Baker said. "He doesn't come in on many prospect lists, but he's getting some deserved attention after a great season. Given his size, strength and repertoire, we expect him to move quickly."
Left-handed starting pitcher -- Omar Cruz, Altoona (14 starts), Greensboro (seven starts): Another piece of the three-team, seven-player deal last winter, Cruz impressed his new organization with a strong 2021. The southpaw set career highs across the board, starting 21 times and posting a 3.44 ERA in 99 1/3 innings, nearly as many as he had thrown his first two seasons combined. Cruz ran a strong 98-to-36 strikeout-to-walk ratio and limited opposing hitters to a .235 average, likely putting him on track to start at Triple-A in 2022.
Omar Cruz gets Aldrem Corredor 𝓱𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓮 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓼𝓲𝓷𝓴𝓮𝓻.
— Altoona Curve (@AltoonaCurve) June 25, 2021
We lead it 2-0, B4.
LISTEN: https://t.co/aioWvW3Svf pic.twitter.com/Pvs8MraKQ8
"Omar did a wonderful job in his first year with us and really impressed with his ability to pitch," Baker said. "He's a soft-spoken guy off the field, but when he's on the mound, he's a completely different animal. He's locked in, works quick and has a terrific ability to execute his gameplan. We're very happy we picked him up."
Relief pitcher: Enmanuel Mejia, Bradenton (21 appearances), Greensboro (11 appearances): While his 32 appearances and 42 2/3 innings might pale in comparison to other relievers, it's fair to say Mejia might have had the most dominant season out of the bullpen in 2021.
The 22-year-old surrendered an unearned run in his first appearance on May 21. He did not allow another until July 22 and took an unblemished ERA into his 27th outing on Aug. 31, when he surrendered the only two earned runs of his campaign. Mejia's dominance included an 0.42 ERA, a .173 average-against and 53 strikeouts. The right-hander sports an 0.85 ERA and 16 saves in his first 50 career appearances.
Michael Avallone is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @MavalloneMiLB.