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Recapping the Progress of Ben Cherington’s First Draft Class With the Pirates

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The 2020 MLB draft will always stand alone for how unique it was. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, high school and college baseball seasons were cut short, meaning less eyes on the draft eligible prospects.

To help with that, MLB cut the draft down to just five rounds, making it easier for teams to properly prepare.

Thanks to a compensation pick, the Pirates ended up with six overall picks in 2020, taking one position player and the rest pitchers. They were able to sign all six of the picks, with five making their professional debuts in 2021 when minor league baseball resumed.

Now in their second full season of baseball in 2022, all six of their draft picks have played in the Pirates system.

Here is a look back at how year two (for most) went for the 2020 draft class.

Top Pick: Nick Gonzales

The New Mexico State infielder was one of the highest rated hitters in the entire 2020 draft class, falling to the Pirates with the seventh overall pick. He signed for the recommended slot amount of $5,432,400 and played his first full season in Greensboro in 2021. 

After belting 18 home runs in 369 plate appearances in Greensboro, Gonzales wasn’t able to reach double digits in 2022.

The infielder dealt with more injuries in 2022, limiting him to less plate appearances than he had in Greensboro. Overall he finished with seven home runs in 316 plate appearances, 71 games overall.

Gonzales’ season was tough to gauge at times, as he had some swing and miss issues, especially against breaking pitches (29.5 K%), but at the same time was able to draw walks in 13.6% of his plate appearances. Overall, Gonzales slashed .263/.383/.429 with seven home runs, 33 RBI, five stolen bases and 47 runs scored with the Altoona Curve in 2022.

Gonzales finished strong, batting .302/.415/.566 with two home runs, six doubles and a triple while driving in nine runs in 14 September games.

After missing time due to an injury for the second straight season, Gonzales also elected to participate in the Arizona Fall League in back-to-back offseasons, trying to make up for lost time.

Playing for the Surprise Saguaros, Gonzales slashed .279/.351/.500 with three home runs, eight extra-base hits, and even added third base to his resume, playing the hot corner for the Saguaros. 

Comp Round A: Carmen Mlodzinski, 31st overall

Drafted out of The University of South Carolina, Mlodzinski had great stuff, but didn’t pitch much in college due to the pandemic and a foot injury early in his career.

The Pirates drafted him 31st overall, and signed him to an under slot deal of $2,050,000 (slot was worth $2,312,000). Mlodzinski pitched in Greensboro last year, putting up some solid numbers (30 K%, 3.93 ERA, 4.34 FIP) despite playing in a hitter friendly ballpark.

Anthony Murphy
Anthony Murphy
Anthony began writing over 10 years ago, starting a personal blog to cover the 2011 MLB draft, where the Pirates selected first overall. After bouncing around many websites covering hockey, he refocused his attention to baseball, his first love when it comes to sports. He eventually found himself here at Pirates Prospects in late 2021, where he covers the team’s four full season minor league affiliates.

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