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Mar. 27—Join the conversation
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Liover Peguero watched Ozzie Smith sprint onto the field, do a handspring followed by a back flip while playing for the St. Louis Cardinals. That’s when Peguero knew he wanted to play shortstop.
“I used to be like, ‘Oh my God. I want to be like him,'” Peguero said. “I feel like that’s the guy.”
Nick Gonzales had the same reaction after watching a young Andrew McCutchen, not because of his long dreadlocks or diving catches but rather the short, explosive stroke of his quick swing.
“That was kind of my guy because I played center field growing up,” Gonzales said. “I really liked him and enjoyed him. I would always look at guys who were kind of similar to my size — 5-10, somewhere around there, under 6 foot. “
The Pittsburgh Pirates have matched the bubbling personality of Peguero with the soft-spoken Gonzales in the middle infield this spring training, giving a glimpse of a dangerous double-play tandem of the future. They are certainly an odd couple, proof that opposites attract.
“That is an interesting pair,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “That’s right. They’re a very talented odd couple.”
They represent Ben Cherington’s first two major moves as Pirates general manager. Peguero, a 20-year-old shortstop from the Dominican Republic, was acquired from Arizona (along with right-hander Brennan Malone) in the Starling Marte trade in January 2020. Gonzales, a 21-year-old second baseman from New Mexico State, was the No. 7 overall pick in the first round of the 2020 MLB Draft. Both are ranked among the Pirates’ top five prospects, and Gonzales is regarded as a top-100 prospect by Baseball America, MLB Pipeline and The Athletic.
“It’s been fun to be around them,” Cherington said. “Obviously, they’re talented young players who still are working hard and developing. What I enjoy most about both of those guys is they really love to be out there playing and practicing and getting better. They bring a ton of energy.
“Very different personalities — Peggy is a little more open and outgoing, his sense of humor and his English is just incredible for a kid his age from the Dominican; Nick is a little quieter — but they have an equal amount of energy and enthusiasm for getting better and being on a baseball field.”
Pirates shortstop Cole Tucker can relate to the awe of attending a first major league camp as a top prospect. The 2014 first-round pick vividly recalled being “freaked out” about sharing the same field as Miguel Cabrera, Yoenis Cespedis and Jose Iglesias as a backup for a Grapefruit League game against the Detroit Tigers in Lakeland.
“It’s just cool for them to come in and be around the the major league staff and major league players and play in a major league atmosphere,” Tucker said. “That’s invaluable experience. I think that supersedes all the ‘did you get a hit today?’ … For them to have those experiences is what this is all about.”
Both Gonzales and Peguero delivered eye-opening performances of their own this week, albeit in different roles.
On Wednesday, Gonzales was warned that he would pinch-hit to lead off the eighth inning if Atlanta brought in a lefty reliever. Facing A.J. Minter, who had 15 saves in 2018, Gonzales figured he would get tested with a fastball on the first pitch. When he saw a 96 mph four-seamer, Gonzales crushed it over the left-center field fence at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota for his first professional home run.
“I was fortunate enough to square it up, and yeah, that was exciting,” Gonzales said. “I tried to play it cool. Didn’t want to crack a smile (circling the bases), but I cracked a smile once I got to the dugout.”
The next night, Peguero started at shorstop against Baltimore and went 2 for 3 with two RBIs in a 10-9 loss. He had a double in the second to score Tony Wolters and a game-tying, line-drive single in the third to score Brian Goodwin.
“I was just trying to be me, just try to be Liover,” Peguero said, with a laugh. “Be out there, having fun and not think a lot. I was just trying to be myself, try to put the ball in play and not try to do too much. It was good. I’m not going to lie. It feels really good.”
Gonzales and Peguero got to know each other last year, first at the alternate training site in Altoona and then at Instructional League in Bradenton. Despite their differing personalities, they became fast friends because of their shared passion for baseball and sense of humor.
Roommates in Altoona, they spent the summer learning from one another as Gonzales helped Peguero with his English, while Peguero helped Gonzales with his Spanish. Gonzales said Peguero plans to live at his home near Bradenton for minor league camp at Pirate City because his energy and enthusiasm is infectious.
“I love watching him out there,” Gonzales said. “He does bring the energy. Every practice, he’s the same way — even if it’s 8 a.m. or 2 p.m., he’s the same guy. That’s what’s huge for me. I love seeing that. It helps me a ton. It’s just been a blast.”
Peguero arrived to training camp late because of visa issues, so it took him longer to get into Grapefruit League games. But they caught Shelton’s eye with their play in the field and professional approach at the plate, despite Peguero never playing above Class A and Gonzales yet to play a game in the minor leagues.
They have competition in prized prospects like shortstops Ji-Hwan Bae and Oneil Cruz, but Peguero believes the competition for playing time is bringing out the best in their development with the Pirates.
“It’s really good right now. I feel like we are doing an amazing job,” Peguero said. “Nick and Bae, they are literally like my brothers. I love those guys. They’ve been working really hard. Even myself, I’ve been working really hard with them.
“I feel like this is something special in my life, being around those guys, kind of like make the team good, be good together. That is something I really like about us. We try to get each other’s backs. That’s the best way to say it. We just help each other a lot. I love those guys. They’re really amazing.”
Kevin Gorman is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Kevin by email at [email protected] or via Twitter .
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