Top pick Gonzales signs, calls PNC Park 'jaw-dropping'

In 2017, Nick Gonzales decided to turn down scholarships to play baseball for smaller schools in order to be a walk-on at New Mexico State. His parents spotted him the money for his freshman year, knowing he would play his way to a scholarship if given the opportunity.

Gonzales ended up doing just that. He quickly became one of the Aggies' most feared hitters, and the 21-year-old shortstop would go on to be named the 2019 Cape Cod League Most Valuable Player and the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper’s National Player of the Year in 2020.

The Pirates selected Gonzales seventh overall in the 2020 amateur draft on June 10. On Wednesday, he officially became a member of the organization, signing with his parents and girlfriend by his side.

So, have there been any friendly reminders from the parents about that freshman year gift now that their son is a millionaire ball player?

“No elbow jabs yet," Gonzales said, laughing, during a Zoom call with local reporters Wednesday. "We’ll see, I guess. I don’t think they’re going to ask for anything. Maybe I just come home for longer and stay longer at the house.”

Gonzales received the full slot value for the seventh overall pick: $5,432,400.

He signed the contract at PNC Park, where he also met with manager Derek Shelton and got his first look at what will likely be his future home stadium.

“It was so jaw-dropping just to walk into this park and see how beautiful it is," Gonzales said. "You can go to a park and see how beautiful it is, but it’s a little different when you’re on the field.”

Gonzales said he didn't really have any doubts that he was going to sign. After months of uncertainty about where he would go, the last two weeks since he has been drafted has been much more relaxed.

“For me, it hasn’t been much of an emotional roller coaster because I had that the whole quarantine, for about three months leading into the draft," Gonzales said. "It was just pure excitement and joy once it happened.”

Gonzales was considered the fifth-best prospect in this year's draft class by MLB Pipeline and Baseball America. In its updated list, Baseball America ranks Gonzales as the 59th best prospect in baseball and the second best in the Pirates' system, behind Mitch Keller at 55th overall.

For an organization that was looking for high-impact minor league talent, Gonzales quickly bolstered their prospect collection.

“We are thrilled to add Nick Gonzales to the Pirates family,” Ben Cherington said in a statement. “Nick has been an elite performer at every level of his baseball career. Nick has a broad skill set which allows him to impact multiple areas of the game. Just as importantly, Nick has demonstrated a deep passion for the game and for learning and improvement. We believe those qualities will allow him to continue finding new levels of performance and, one day, to become a valuable member of our major league team. We welcome Nick and his family to the Pirates.”

Gonzales is considered to be one of the draft's most major league ready players, with some scouts and prospect experts have speculated he could be ready to reach the majors by 2022. However, he does not really have a time frame for when he could be ready to make that leap.

"I’m focused on my development, being around the right coaches and learning," Gonzales said. "Professional baseball is a little bit different than college ball. Just working towards my development, trusting the process for me is going to be huge, and then definitely stepping out onto that Major-League field. You can see it, it’s within your grasp. That was huge for me.”

He also has some homework to do before then: Reading a book on Roberto Clemente, a gift from his dad.

“It’s a really long book, but I’ve got to get that finished before I get back out here again,” Gonzales said.