Erik Gonzalez was a utility player, and a seldom-used one at that, over the last three seasons with the Indians.
However, one scout from another major league team believes the Pirates might have found a hidden gem when they acquired the 27-year-old Wednesday in a trade. In fact, the scout believes Gonzalez could be the starting shortstop in 2019.
"People don't know how good this guy is because he never got to play in Cleveland," the scout told DKPittsburghSports.com Thursday on the condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to publicly discuss players. "I think he's going to prove he can be a regular in the major leagues if the Pirates give him the chance. He's a heckuva defensive shortstop, and he can hit a little. He's not going to be a Hall of Famer or an All-Star, but he is better than what the Pirates have now."
That would be rookie Kevin Newman, who has the pedigree of being the Pirates' first-round draft pick in 2015 and ranked as the 20th-best prospect in Triple-A International League this year by Baseball America. However, the 25-year-old struggled in his first taste of the major leagues late this past season, hitting .209/.247/.231 in 31 games with minus-3 defensive runs saved (DRS).
Gonzalez reached the major leagues in 2016, eight years after the Indians signed him as an amateur free agent from the Dominican Republic. He played all or parts of 10 seasons in the minors before spending his first full season in the big leagues this year. He hit .265/.301/.375 with one home run in 81 games and 165 at-bats along with zero DRS.
With the Indians, Gonzalez was blocked by an All-Star player in Francisco Lindor at shortstop. Considering Lindor is 25 and under club control through 2021, Gonzalez never was going to get much of an opportunity.
He could with the Pirates, but another scout isn't so sure Gonzalez can handle everyday duty.
"I just think he'd be stretched if you started him in 140-150 games," the scout said. "He has his uses. I think he can have a decent career as a utility infielder, but I don't think he has enough bat to produce over 500-600 at-bats. He's not a bad player, just not a regular for me, at least on a team that has plans on contending."