Pirates Make Surprise Position Switch for Gonzales vs Dodgers
Pirates Move Star Hitter Nick Gonzales to DH for First Time Ever Against Dodgers
Quick Context: The Pittsburgh Pirates are shaking things up for their series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on August 21, 2026. Their plan? Put one of their best hitters, Nick Gonzales, in a brand-new role: Designated Hitter (DH).
Why This Move Matters
Imagine your best scorer in soccer suddenly getting to play only offense—no running back to defend, no chasing the ball down. That’s basically what the Pirates are doing with Gonzales.
- First time ever Gonzales has been a DH in his career (previously played 2B, 3B, SS)
- First time in 2026 he’s not playing the field
- He’s batting 4th (cleanup spot) — the “bring runners home” slot
- Manager Don Kelly wants maximum offense against a powerhouse Dodgers lineup
Important: A Designated Hitter (DH) bats for the pitcher but doesn’t play defense. It’s like having a “professional batter” in the lineup.
Who Is Nick Gonzales?
Think of Gonzales as the Pirates’ most reliable contact hitter. He doesn’t swing for the fences every time—he puts the ball in play, finds gaps, and gets on base.
| Position History | 2026 Role |
|---|---|
| Second Base | |
| Third Base (mostly) | Designated Hitter |
| Shortstop |
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Gonzales at the Plate
Here’s why the Pirates need his bat in the lineup every single day:
| Stat | Value | What It Means (ELI5) |
|---|---|---|
| Batting Average | .310 | Gets a hit ~31% of the time (3rd best in MLB!) |
| On-Base % | .368 | Reaches base ~37% of plate appearances |
| Slugging % | .404 | Hits for decent power (doubles, homers) |
| OPS | .772 | Combined “how good a hitter” score |
| Hits | 140 | Lots of base knocks |
| Doubles | 22 | Gap-to-gap power |
| Home Runs | 6 | Some pop |
| RBI | 53 | Drives in runs |
Fun Fact: Only two players in ALL of baseball have a higher batting average:
- Phillies 2B — .320
- Astros DH Yordan Alvarez — .319
- Nick Gonzales — .310
Why Move Him to DH? The Defense Problem
Here’s the catch: Gonzales struggles mightily at third base.
The Ugly Defensive Stats (2026)
- 91 starts at 3B in 98 games
- DRS (Defensive Runs Saved): -14 → WORST in MLB at 3B
- OAA (Outs Above Average): -11 → 2nd WORST in MLB at 3B
ELI5: What are DRS & OAA?
- DRS: “How many runs did this player save (or cost) his team with his glove?” Negative = cost runs.
- OAA: “How many extra outs did he make vs. an average fielder?” Negative = fewer outs made.
In simple terms: Every game he plays 3B, the Pirates give away ~0.15 runs on defense. Over a season, that adds up.
Meet the Replacement: Jared Triolo
Enter Jared Triolo — a defensive wizard at third base.
| Metric | Triolo (Career) | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| DRS | +13 | Saved 13 runs with his glove! |
| OAA | +11 | Made 11 more outs than average |
| Awards | Gold Glove 2024 Finalist 2025 (utility) |
Best defender at position |
The swap:
Gonzales → DH (bat stays, glove gone)
Triolo → 3B (elite glove added)
Net result: Better defense and same great bat in lineup
Bonus: Starting pitcher Bubba Chandler (RHP) gets a stronger defense behind him against the Dodgers’ lethal lineup.
The Full Lineup vs. Dodgers
| # | Player | Position | Bats |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spencer Horwitz | 1B | L |
| 2 | Brandon Lowe | 2B | L |
| 3 | Bryan Reynolds | LF | S |
| 4 | Nick Gonzales | DH | R |
| 5 | Oneil Cruz | CF | L |
| 6 | Rafael Flores Jr. | C | R |
| 7 | Jake Mangum | RF | S |
| 8 | Jacob Gonzalez | SS | L |
| 9 | Jared Triolo | 3B | R |
L = Left-handed, R = Right-handed, S = Switch-hitter
Other Notable Lineup Changes
1. Rafael Flores Jr. → 6th (Catcher)
- Why? Crushed 2 HR off the bench vs. Tigers on Aug. 19 (4-3 win)
- Only 3rd time batting 6th this season — earned it!
2. Jake Mangum → RF (7th)
- Replaces rookie Esmerlyn Valdez
- Gives Valdez a rest day before a 9-game road trip
3. Bottom of Order Stability
- Jacob Gonzalez stays at SS (8th)
- Jared Triolo drops to 9th — rare for a Gold Glover, but makes sense with his bat
Summary
| What Happened | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Gonzales moves to DH (1st time ever) | Keeps elite bat (.310 AVG, 3rd in MLB) in lineup |
| Triolo takes over 3B | Fixes massive defensive hole (-14 DRS → +13 DRS) |
| Flores Jr. moves up to 6th | Rewards hot streak (2 HR in one game) |
| Mangum starts in RF | Manages rookie workload before long road trip |
| Lineup optimized vs. LAD | Best offense + best defense for tough matchup |
Bottom line: The Pirates are playing chess, not checkers — maximizing strengths, hiding weaknesses, and rewarding performance.
FAQ
What is a Designated Hitter (DH)?
A player who only bats and doesn’t play defense. They hit in place of the pitcher (in the American League and now universally in MLB). Think of it as a “professional hitter” slot.
Why is Nick Gonzales batting 4th?
The cleanup spot (4th) is traditionally for your best power/contact combo hitter — someone who drives in runs. With a .310 average and 53 RBI, Gonzales fits perfectly.
What do DRS and OAA mean?
- DRS (Defensive Runs Saved): Estimates how many runs a player saves/costs with his glove vs. average. + = good, – = bad.
- OAA (Outs Above Average): How many more (or fewer) outs a fielder makes vs. an average fielder at that position.
Who is Jared Triolo?
A Gold Glove-winning infielder (2024) with elite defensive metrics (+13 DRS, +11 OAA career). He’s the Pirates’ best glove at 3B.
Why rest Esmerlyn Valdez now?
The Pirates have a 9-game road trip coming up. Giving the rookie a day off before it keeps him fresh for a grueling stretch.
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