The Pittsburgh Pirates selected infielder Nick Gonzales with the seventh overall pick in last night’s Major League Baseball Draft. Gonzales went from a walk-on at New Mexico State – to become the Most Valuable Player in the prestigious Cape Cod League. He led the NCAA in batting last year – and was leading in home runs when the current season was stopped due to the coronavirus pandemic. Gonzales is a shortstop – who also plays second base,
With their compensatory pick in the opening round – the Pirates selected South Carolina pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski
West Allegheny’s Austin Hendrick was selected 12th overall by the Cincinnati Reds.
First baseman Spencer Torkelson of Arizona State was selected first overall by Detroit.
The draft resumes tonight with rounds two through five – beginning at 5pm. It will be televised on the MLB Network and ESPN2. The Pirates have four more picks.