Jacob Gonzalez starting at shortstop vs. Guardians

Gonzalez wasted little time making an impression in Pittsburgh, launching a 428-foot no-doubter off Cleveland starter Gavin Williams into the right-field seats in his first at-bat as a Pirate. The 24-year-old rookie has an opportunity to play everyday as Pittsburgh’s primary shortstop until Konnor Griffin (finger) returns from the injured list in early September after being acquired from the White Sox in a trade last week.

Gonzalez is at shortstop and hitting eighth after Friday’s second-half opener was postponed due to air quality concerns in Cleveland. The 24-year-old infielder was scooped up by the Pirates in a trade with the White Sox earlier this month to serve as a temporary stopgap until rookie standout Konnor Griffin (finger) returns from the injured list in early September. He’s shown an ability to make consistent hard contact and could offer some fantasy relevance in deeper leagues in an everyday role with Pittsburgh.

It’ll be Jared Triolo drawing another start at shortstop with Gonzalez presumably available off the bench for the nightcap of Saturday’s twin bill against Milwaukee. The 24-year-old infielder was picked up in a trade with the White Sox on Friday night. He’s likely to step in as Pittsburgh’s starting shortstop in place of an injured Konnor Griffin (finger) until early September.

Gonzalez is presumably en route to Pittsburgh and could make his Pirates debut as soon as the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader at PNC Park. The 24-year-old is expected to step in as the club’s starting shortstop in place of Konnor Griffin until at least early September after being acquired from the White Sox on Friday night. He’s displayed a noticeable uptick in exit velocity this season, helping drive an offensive breakout at the Triple-A level. He’s a middle infielder worth monitoring in deeper fantasy formats, particularly if he secures everyday at-bats with Pittsburgh.

The procedural move opens a spot on Pittsburgh’s roster for shortstop Jacob Gonzalez, who was acquired from the White Sox in a trade on Friday night. Griffin is recovering from a torn sagittal band in his left ring finger that is expected to sideline him until early September. The 20-year-old prodigy is worth stashing in deeper fantasy leagues, but he’s unlikely to make a significant impact given how much time he’s set to miss.

As Jeff Passan of ESPN reported earlier, the expectation is that Gonzalez will join the Pirates immediately and function as their regular shortstop while Konnor Griffin is sidelined. The 24-year-old held his own in his debut with the White Sox, hitting .244/.323/.360 with a pair of homers and 17 RBI in 97 plate appearances.

Gonzalez was bumped off the White Sox’ big league roster on Friday with the return of Munetaka Murakami after slashing .244/.323/.360 with two homers and 17 RBI in 97 plate appearances. Passan notes that the Pirates plan to play Gonzalez at shortstop while Konnor Griffin is shelved. Eisert also adds a veteran arm to a bullpen that is in desperate need of reinforcements.

Gonzalez was slashing .244/.323/.360 in his first 97 MLB plate appearances with two home runs, 17 RBI, and a 22/8 K/BB ratio. He would get another chance if there was an injury in Chicago, but the team will need to figure out how to open up a spot for him in 2027.

Murakami, who has been out since late May, has played two straight games in Triple-A Charlotte. If this report is true, Murakami would get a handful of at-bats this weekend before the All-Star Break hits. Merkin speculates that Jacob Gonzalez being demoted would seem “the likely move.”

A week ago, Gonzalez was hitting .163 and seemed like a lock to be sent down to the minors once Munetaka Murakami came off the IL, if not before. However, his last six games have seen him go 11-for-24 with four doubles, a homer and 12 RBI, putting him at .260/.340/.397 in 82 plate appearances overall. He’s still not promised anything, but given that he can play anywhere in the infield, he now certainly has a chance of sticking around once Murakami comes back.