Pirates select New Mexico State star Nick Gonzales No. 7 overall

With the seventh pick of the 2020 MLB Draft, the Pittsburgh Pirates selected Nick Gonzales, a middle infielder out of New Mexico State.

The sweet-swinging Gonzales hit .448 with 12 home runs in 16 games before the college season was put on hold earlier this spring.

Pirates ace Jameson Taillon was impressed with the selection.

Gonzales is the highest-drafted New Mexico State player in MLB history and the first Aggies player ever selected in the first round. Joey Ortiz, whom the Baltimore Orioles took 108th overall last year, was previously the school's highest-drafted player, according to Sarah Langs of MLB.com.

Bio

Age: 21
Position: 2B/SS
Height/Weight: 5-foot-10, 190 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
School: New Mexico State
Pick value: $5,432,400

Tools

• 60-grade hit tool
• Solid baserunner with decent speed
• Elite bat speed

Why you're going to love this guy

• Dominated college pitching over three years (.399 AVG)
• Demonstrated improved power each year
• Cape Cod MVP in 2019 summer league
• Comparisons to Keston Hiura with fewer questions about his fielding

Things he'll need to overcome

• Relatively weak arm may prevent him from playing shortstop in MLB
• Home run power may not translate to majors

2019 stats

Take a look ...