In a year that has produced problems at the plate for numerous hitters in the Pirates lineup, one of the most productive bats on the club has been a semi-unexpected candidate: Infielder Erik Gonzalez.
Entering Wednesday's contest against his former team, the Indians, Gonzalez is hitting the ball harder than nearly anyone in baseball. With one third of the season completed, people are finally starting to notice.
"One of the things we've talked about is guys showing the ability to swing the bat," manager Derek Shelton said recently. "If you look at some of the things he has done, in terms of regular numbers and underlying numbers, I think he's probably hitting the ball harder than just about anybody in the game right now over the last 10 days. And he’s played really good defense.
"So, he's done a nice job and put himself in a position to get at-bats."
With an average exit velocity of 93.2 mph, Gonzalez is in the top 7% in the game. That has resulted in an attractive .313/.313/.500 slash line with one home run and nine RBIs.
Here is where he ranks in a handful of other areas:
Leading the Pirates in both hits (15) and doubles (six) this season, there are times where the 27 -year-old has made the game look easy. However, his path to becoming an everyday player in the pros has been quite the journey.
To continue reading, log into your account:
