Gonzalez, Newman competing for Pirates’ shortstop job

Gonzalez, Newman want starting position

Associated Press

BRADENTON, Fla.

Erik Gonzalez and Kevin Newman are competing to start at shortstop for Pittsburgh, the one open position in the Pirates’ everyday lineup.

The job opened when Jordy Mercer left after seven seasons and signed with the Detroit Tigers.

Gonzalez was acquired from Cleveland on Nov. 14. Newman made his major league debut with the Pirates last August and retains his rookie status.

Gonzalez spent the last three years as a utility infielder, stuck behind such stalwarts as shortstop Francisco Lindor, third baseman Jose Ramirez and second baseman Jason Kipnis.

“I was starting to lose my passion for baseball,” Gonzalez said. “I was talking to my agent to try to move to another team. I just want the chance to play.”

He will have a chance to prove himself during the exhibition season, which begins Saturday. The Pirates feel they may have unearthed a potential impact player in Gonzalez.

“We’ve had people that’ve seen this man play defense and said, ‘This guy can be dynamic,”’ manager Clint Hurdle said. “‘OK’ wasn’t a word that came out of anybody’s mouth. ‘Above average. Dynamic. Very good. More range than anybody you’ve had at short.”’

Whether Gonzalez will hit enough to be a regular is the question. In 162 career games, he has a .263 batting average and five home runs.

“It’s hard when you only play once a week to keep your timing,” he said. “I did the best I could to stay ready. I worked hard every day before games.

“I do think I learned a lot about hitting from my teammates. I talked to Lindor a lot, talked to Ramirez, talked to (Edwin) Encarnacion. They are all great hitters, and they helped me.”

Newman struggled in his initial trip to the big leagues, hitting .209 in 31 games. However, he was the Pirates’ first-round draft pick in 2015 and was once considered among the top 100 prospects in baseball.

The Pirates feel Newman is a better player that what he showed last year. General manager Neal Huntington pointed out that Newman lost 10 pounds during the season and was not at his best physically once he reached the major leagues.