A day after right-hander Roansy Contreras was named the Arizona Fall League pitcher of the week, two more Pittsburgh Pirates prospects were selected to play in the 15th Fall Stars Game on Saturday.
Nick Gonzales and Ji-hwan Bae were among the top prospects chosen by MLB scouting and farm directors, AFL staff and MLB.com writers. Gonzales was listed as a second baseman/shortstop/center fielder, while Bae as a center fielder/second baseman/shortstop.
Gonzales, the Pirates’ first-round pick in 2020 who spent this past season at High-A Greensboro, batted .381 (24 for 63) with four doubles, one triple, two home runs and 13 RBIs and boasted a 1.059 OPS in 17 games for the Peoria Javelinas. Gonzales, 22, is ranked the Pirates’ No. 4 prospect and No. 62 in the minors by MLB Pipeline.
Bae, a 22-year-old South Korean who played at Double-A Altoona, batted .269 (18 for 67) with two doubles, two homers and nine RBIs. He is ranked the Pirates’ No. 22 prospect.
Contreras, 22, was named the AFL pitcher of the week for Nov. 1-6 after striking out five in three perfect innings against the Surprise Saguaros. Contreras was 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA in 10 innings over four starts, allowing five runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out 10.
