Pittsburgh Pirates, Nick Gonzales Ready To Take 'Big Step Forward'

Title: Pirates, Nick Gonzales Ready To Take 'Big Step Forward' The Pittsburgh Pirates finished the 2024 season with a record of 76-86, marking their second consecutive season without a playoff appearance. Second baseman Nick Gonzales is highlighted as a key player who showed potential to help the team improve. Gonzales expressed optimism about the team's future, emphasizing the growth of young talent within the roster. He believes that the combination of emerging players and established talent positions the Pirates for a better performance in 2025. In 2023, Gonzales had a challenging season, playing only 35 games with a -0.2 WAR. He made significant improvements in 2024, achieving a batting line of .270/.311/.398, hitting seven home runs, and driving in 49 RBIs over 94 games. Gonzales' bWAR for the 2024 season was 0.9, indicating his positive contribution to the team's performance. He acknowledged the difficulties of his initial big league experience, which prompted him to identify areas for improvement. Gonzales made specific adjustments during the offseason to enhance his game ahead of the 2024 season. His reflections suggest a focus on learning from past struggles and a commitment to continuous development as a player.

Original Article: https://www.si.com/mlb/pirates/news/pittsburgh-pirates-nick-gonzales-ready-step-forward-2025

Original Article Author: Nathaniel Marrero