Pirates trade Draft pick to White Sox in deal for infield, bullpen help
The Pirates have indeed traded their Competitive Balance-A Round Pick for help, and it will address needs at shortstop with Konnor Griffin’s injury and in the bullpen.
Late Friday, the Pirates flipped the 34th overall pick in the upcoming MLB Draft to the White Sox for infielder Jacob Gonzalez and left-handed pitcher Brandon Eisert.
Along with the Draft pick, the Pirates are sending left-handed pitcher Jaden Woods to the White Sox.
“We believe in this team and discussed multiple ways to use the comp pick to strengthen it,” general manager Ben Cherington said.
“Jacob Gonzalez can complement Nick Gonzales and Jared Triolo on the left side of the infield in Konnor Griffin’s absence. He’s also a versatile left-handed hitter who has taken significant steps this season and who we believe in long-term.
“Brandon Eisert makes us even deeper in left-handed relief.”
Gonzalez, 24, was a first-round pick in 2023 (No. 15 overall), and has hit .244 with four doubles, two home runs, 17 RBIs, eight walks and 11 runs in 30 games during his first career stint in the Majors.
The University of Mississippi product was considered a top-25 prospect by both Baseball America (No. 16) and MLB Pipeline (No. 22) at the time of the trade. In Triple-A Charlotte, Gonzalez hit .320 with 12 doubles, 19 home runs, 63 RBIs, 33 walks, eight stolen bases, a 1.087 OPS and 43 runs scored in 52 games.
At the time of the trade, Gonzalez was ranked second in the International League in RBIs and tied for fifth in home runs. He was the league’s May Player of the Month after batting .344 with eight doubles, 11 home runs, 36 RBIs, four stolen bases, a 1.209 OPS and 21 runs in 24 games.
Eisert, 28, has gone 2-1 with a 5.93 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 25 games this season, including four starts, with the White Sox. A year ago, Eisert ranked sixth among left-handed relievers in the American League in appearances (69) and eighth in strikeouts (73).
The Blue Jays drafted Eisert in the 18th round out of Oregon State in 2019. Over 100 Major League games (seven starts), he’s gone 5-9 with a 4.77 ERA, two saves and 108 strikeouts.
As Cherington said, Gonzalez addresses a need the Pirates have at shortstop with Griffin out until September with an injury to his left ring finger. He’s a left-handed bat and seemingly a positional complement to Triolo, who had been getting reps at the position.
Given his Draft position and Minor League production, there seems to be plenty of upside to Gonzalez. He also has the ability to play multiple infield positions.
Eisert addresses the loss of Evan Sisk to left elbow inflammation while also giving the Pirates another arm in a bullpen that’s in need of help. Eisert isn’t a hard thrower, but he’s had success getting strikeouts and missing bats with his four-seamer, slider and changeup.
Eisert’s whiff rate this season is 31.2%, which ranks in the 88th percentile across MLB. His strikeout rate (27.4%), meanwhile, ranks in the 80th percentile.
Jason Mackey: Jason.Mackey@pirates.com and @JMackey_PGH on X.