He's the first round pick who I think was supposed to get buried.

Sure isn't happening that way.

Warning to you, good Wednesday morning of Dan Kovach, H.

D.K. Pittsburgh Sports.

This is Daily Shot of Pirates. It comes your way. Right early every weekday if you're into football and or

hockey, I also offer daily shots of Steelers and Penguins in the same place that you found this.

Pirates 3, Rockies won last night at PNC Park. Do at least try to stifle a

yawn when I share that Paul Skeens. Pitched eight scoreless innings, gave up two hits,

walked nobody, and just for kicks, struck out 10. Gregory Soto came on to try to complete a shutout. Failed in that regard,

gave up a run, still got the save. O'Neill Cruz, three for four with a double, Spencer Horowitz,

two hits and a walk. And then, just because he's in this specific conversation pretty much every day, I'll say for last, that Nick Gonzalez

went two for four with an RBI double. Batting out of the five spot, I might add, one ahead of

Marcel O'Suna, who went 0 for 4 to continue his endless plunge.

He's now at 188.

Gonzalez, for anybody who's forgotten, and apparently that was a lot of people, was the

Pirates' first round pick in 2020.

In fact, he was Ben Charrington's first draft pick at all since taking the job in Pittsburgh.

Seventh overall out of New Mexico State recognized pretty much universally at the time as the best college bat available.

And maybe the best way to put that is the safest floor of any of the college

bats. You knew what you were going to get. Well, you did, and then you didn't get it, at least not

entirely. In only 35 games as a rookie in 2023, he batted 209 with a couple of home runs.

In 2024, first full year in the majors,

...