Amid Griffin buzz, Gonzales stating steady case for short

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Not every battle needs a bad guy.

This is especially true in Pirates camp this spring, as Nick Gonzales works to strengthen his grip on the starting shortstop role while baseball’s No. 1 prospect, Konnor Griffin, aims to loosen it.

These guys aren’t enemies. Far from it. Both appreciate what the other brings to the table, and each is happy to do “whatever it takes to help the club.” The fact remains that someone has to be out on the dirt come Opening Day.

On one side is all the hype that comes with a phenom who hasn’t struggled at any level. On the other is a guy who has already worked hard to put obstacles in the rearview.

New blood vs. battle-tested.

Electric vs. established.

Potential vs. presence.

However you frame it, this is one of the Pirates’ most important roster decisions of the spring. And now that Gonzales has returned from the World Baseball Classic, he’s hoping the energy he soaked up with Team Mexico continues to propel him as Spring Training winds down.

“I feel like I'm in probably the best spot I've been in my career,” Gonzales said. “Every year you learn, and try to implement that into your game as much as you can. You hope it all clicks. I feel really good about that right now.”

There was plenty for Gonzales to enjoy while embracing his roots at the Classic, including time with family, soaking up the atmosphere and interacting with fans. He also returned with a souvenir: a bottle of tequila engraved with his name and “WBC”, a gift from Phillies pitcher Taijuan Walker to each of his Mexico teammates.

“I kind of went in not really knowing too much, and it just blew my expectations out of the water,” Gonzales said. “It was something that I've never been a part of, that energy-packed, that loud, especially in that stadium [Daikin Park]. It was awesome.”

Gonzales logged four games before Mexico was eliminated Wednesday, collecting an RBI single, three walks and a stolen base. He started each game at second -- his old New Mexico State teammate, the Brewers’ Joey Ortiz, was the primary shortstop -- but Gonzales returned to the Pirates’ lineup at short on Saturday during an 8-6 win over the Orioles at LECOM Park.

The biggest takeaway from the Classic was being dropped into postseason-style baseball in mid-March.

“You're kind of right into the thick of it,” Gonzales said. “The games are intense and energy-packed, so I feel ready to go. Definitely ready for that energy in the season as well.”

Gonzales is hitting .500 (8-for-16) this spring, with a double, two RBIs and a 1.092 OPS. Spring stats are taken with a grain of salt, but the results continue the work the 26-year-old has made in recent seasons. Gonzales hit his stride in 2024, finishing his first full MLB season with a .270 average and 49 RBIs in 94 games.

He appeared poised for a breakout last season, before sustaining a broken left ankle on Opening Day and struggling with consistency after his return. He spent the past offseason working to arrive this spring ready to defend his role.

So far, he’s swinging well enough that even if Griffin breaks camp with the club, Gonzales could still provide value as a versatile infielder. Second base is his natural position, and he’s also spent time at third.

“He did a great job this offseason,” manager Don Kelly said. “He’s switched some things up. I don’t know if you’ve been able to tell the difference in his setup at the plate, but the way he’s been swinging the bat has been phenomenal. …

“It’s really difficult to change midseason, to make any adjustment like that, especially mechanically. To see the way he was able to embrace that in the offseason and the way that his swing looks now, he did a fantastic job. It looks freer. He’s barreling the ball up well, and he feels really great about it.”

Gonzales is feeling good at the perfect time of year. While Griffin’s rapid rise through the Minors has made him one of baseball’s most exciting up-and-comers, Gonzales has taken a more winding path. Proving he can hit for consistency might be the most important case he can make: Griffin has hit for power this spring but has just a .200 average (6-for-30) through his 11 games.

Now, with the final weeks of Spring Training unfolding, Gonzales is back in camp carrying the momentum of the Classic and the belief that he can handle whatever comes next.

“My whole career has been being kind of that guy, so it's not a problem,” Gonzales said. “I'm here for whatever the team needs me to do, and whatever I can do to help the team win.”