Pirates’ Gonzales Heading to Houston For World Baseball Classic

With permission from the Pittsburgh Pirates, Nick Gonzales is scheduled to miss some days during spring training in Bradenton.

Gonzales has been selected by Rodrigo Lopez, who serves as general manager for Team Mexico, to participate in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Mexico’s first game is scheduled for March 6 against Team Great Britain at Houston’s Daikin Park.

Ever since making his MLB debut for Pittsburgh in June 2023, Gonzales has been active in making his feelings known about wanting to be a part of Team Mexico.

“I’ve been in touch with the gm (Lopez) now for a couple of years,” Gonzales said prior to a Thursday morning workout at Pirate City. “I don’t know what my role will be with the team, but whatever the team needs from me, they will have it.”

Calling his involvement a privilege and an honor to be part of something like the WBC, Gonzales is anxious to meet his teammates. Thus far, there has been steady communication among the 30-member team assembled, mostly by phone. Team Mexico’s manager, Benji Gil, is someone Gonzales looks forward to learning from. Gil has extensive international management experience with a resume that includes being the skipper for Mexico’s team in the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Gil, who played for the 2002 World Series-winning Anaheim Angels, also has skippered two teams in the Mexican Pacific League. Although Gonzales will have a learning curve to conquer with Gil and his eight coaches, there is several players for Team Mexico that the Pirates’ infielder is quite familiar with.

Along with Rowdy Tellez, Gonzales's 2024 teammate in Pittsburgh, two pros who came through the New Mexico State University baseball program in Las Cruces, N.M., will be joining him with Team Mexico. Gonzales attended New Mexico State University from 2018 to 2020.

“My best friend, Joey Ortiz, the Milwaukee Brewers’ shortstop, and Samy Natera, the left-handed pitcher from the Los Angeles Angels, were my teammates in college. Being with them and playing for Team Mexico is going to be special for my grandparents,” says Gonzales, who was the Pirates' top draft selection (7th overall) in 2020.
Jose Urquidy, a recently signed pitcher by Pittsburgh, is also on the Team Mexico roster.

Not only to Gonzales, but to a great many fans, the WBC is recognized as the Olympics of baseball. Different players representing countries with which their families have a history from all over the world make the WBC special.

Living in Fort Worth, Texas, Gonzales promises a fine family representation at Daikin Park (home field of the Houston Astros).

“My family travels no matter where we (Pirates) are playing, and they’ll be coming to Houston to support me,” Gonzales said.

Team Mexico joins the United States, Italy, Brazil, and Great Britain in the WBC’s Pool B. After its March 6 game with Great Britain, Team Mexico’s second game is on Sunday, March 8, against Team Brazil. Miami’s LoanDepot Park is the site of the WBC championship game on March 17 at 8:00 p.m. ET.

As the Pirates’ 2026 roster forms, Gonzales is projected to begin the season by taking balls at shortstop and could also fill in at third base, as well. But, for a brief spell this spring, players like Randy Arozarena, Alejandro Kirk, Austin Barnes, and Taijan Walker will be who Gonzales will share a clubhouse with.

The personal reward of representing his family’s heritage keeps Gonzales chomping at the bit for the WBC to begin. Most of all, Pirates’ fans are proud of one of their own who will be on display on baseball's world stage.