Nick Gonzales was a one man wrecking crew at New Mexico State College. After walking-on, he posted a profession common of .399 with an OPS of 1.249. Within the COVID shortened 2020 season, Gonzales hit .448 with 12 bombs in simply 16 video games for the Aggies. This absurd begin helped solidified his draft inventory for that June. The Pirates drafted the second baseman seventh general within the 2020 draft and he now sits at #5 on the Buccos’ High Prospect Listing.
Gonzales is primarily a second baseman however has been spending extra time on the left aspect at third base and shortstop. Nick has been with Rawlings since being drafted and has no plans on switching. The primary query that prompted was…
“Coronary heart of the Disguise or Professional Most popular?”
Nick’s response was an fascinating one. He stated “I actually wish to get each a Professional Most popular and a Coronary heart of Disguise to interrupt them in on the identical time and see which one I choose for that 12 months. I’ve undoubtedly used Coronary heart of Disguise extra because it appears to interrupt in faster.” You typically see guys on one aspect of the controversy or the opposite however Gonzales merely goes by really feel after they’re labored in slightly.
The subsequent query pertains to glove sample. Being a second baseman in school, Nick grew accustom to a shallow pocket that emphasised a fast switch. Since being drafted, Nick has used the long-lasting TT2 sample from Rawlings. The shallow pocket with a thumb to center finger shut was preferrred for the slick fielding Gonzales.
However, with extra time being spent on the left aspect, Nick needed to vary it up.
He stated “I’ve at all times used the TT2 and by no means tried anything. After I transfer over to the opposite aspect of the infield enjoying SS and third, I needed one thing with a much bigger pocket. For this season, I switched to the 200 sample to present slightly additional depth” Gonzales did retain the 11.5″ size from the TT2 with the change to the 200 sample, nevertheless.
Pictured above is the Professional Most popular providing he designed for the 2023 season. The PROS204-7KC provides slightly extra flash than we’re used to seeing from the often understated Gonzales. He broke his “basic” mildew by including the crimson accents, the Velocity Shell again, and even the V internet. Whereas louder than his go-to all tan TT2 from years previous, this combo works excellent for the AAA Indianapolis Indians and ties in superbly with the Pirates crimson accents if he will get the decision this 12 months.
For his Coronary heart of the Disguise, Gonzales went with all impartial colours. Black, brown, and blonde at all times work nicely and including the mesh was a pleasant contact for some weight financial savings.
This PRO204-2HB is similar base sample as his Professional Most popular, simply in Coronary heart of the Disguise steerhide and with an I-web. I requested Nick concerning the design course of for his gloves since these are slightly totally different than what we’ve seen previously. He stated “This 12 months, I attempted to have some extra flash on my glove. I went with slightly little bit of crimson and the non-leather again to vary issues up. However I attempt to discover what is easy however seems actually good”. Whereas some guys go all out with a theme, like our first Speaking Gloves piece with Jon Duplantier, Gonzales simply finds a shade combo he likes and rolls with it.
The ‘Nicky G” stitched on the thumb is fairly self explanatory. “Maintain Hammering”, nevertheless, is a phrase I hadn’t seen earlier than. When he’s not on the sphere, Gonzales typically finds himself in his truck listening to some Zach Bryan (dude has good style) on his approach to go searching. “Maintain Hammering” is a quote from his favourite bow hunter that resonated with him. He stated he provides it to his glove as a reminder to push by way of the robust days and to at all times preserve working. A easy however vital mantra as Gonzales says “On a regular basis is a brand new day and a possibility to get higher and study from yesterday’s errors.”
As at all times, an enormous thanks to Nick for taking a while to reply our questions and speak gloves! Be sure to shoot Nick a observe on IG and tell us who else you’d wish to see on our subsequent Speaking Gloves submit!
