Previewing the Pirates: Infield should be improved with Jared Triolo starting at 2B

Jared Triolo was wearing a microphone for SportsNet Pittsburgh on Saturday when asked if it was sinking in that he had earned the starting job at second base for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

That revelation came by way of deduction, with Ji Hwan Bae out since March 5 with a left hip flexor and after the Pirates optioned infielders Nick Gonzales and Liover Peguero to Triple-A Indianapolis last week.

“No, not yet. I haven’t even started yet,” Triolo said. “It’s good to know kind of primarily where I’ll be taking ground balls at and stuff like that.”

Pirates manager Derek Shelton later confirmed that one of the most intense competitions of spring training was over, calling it a “very safe assumption” that Triolo would start at Miami on Opening Day.

The assumption entering big-league camp was Triolo, given his Gold Glove background in the minors and positional versatility in the majors, likely would be the utility infielder. The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder started 34 games at third base, 10 at second and six at first base as a rookie last season, making a seamless transition between the positions and slashing .350/.458/.567 in a scorching September.

Instead, Triolo beat out candidates with impressive credentials: Peguero was the centerpiece of the return package from Arizona in the Starling Marte trade in January 2020; Gonzales was Ben Cherington’s first draft pick as Pirates general manager, selected No. 7 overall in 2020; and Bae signed a $1.25 million bonus out of South Korea and started 64 games at second base last season.

Triolo separated himself with his play not only in the field but also at the plate. He batted .298/.388/.398 with nine doubles, three homers and 21 RBIs in 54 games last season, then hit .325 (13 for 40) with a .925 OPS in 15 Grapefruit League games this spring.

“Just having a little bit of success gives you that confidence,” Triolo said. “Going up to the big leagues and having confidence, it’s something you need every day.”

Triolo rounds out an infield that promises to be improved, given the presence of National League Gold Glove winner Ke’Bryan Hayes at third base, the healthy return of Oneil Cruz at shortstop and the addition of slugger Rowdy Tellez at first base.

Hayes led all NL infielders with 21 defensive runs saved last season, unseating Nolan Arenado as the premier defender at his position after the St. Louis Cardinals star won 10 consecutive Gold Glove awards. The 27-year-old, who batted .307/.334/.528 with 35 extra-base hits and 42 RBIs over his final 71 games, appears poised to become a middle-of-the-order bat and potential All-Star for the Pirates, if he can stay healthy for a full season.

If not, Triolo can slide across the infield.

“Last year, when I went down, he fit right in at third base. Whenever I came back, he was able to go to second and to first and still play Gold Glove defense,” Hayes said of Triolo. “And he always gives you a good at-bat and was really clutch at the end of games last year. He’s great. He’s a lot like me: not always the loudest one in the room, but he plays the game the right way, and you need guys like that. It was great for him to be able to debut last year and build on that confidence going into this year because he’s going to be a guy that can help us win.”

After fracturing his left ankle in an awkward slide into home plate last April 9, Cruz underwent surgery and missed the remainder of the season. But the 6-foot-7, 230-pounder has returned to form, leading the Pirates with seven home runs, 14 RBIs and a 1.120 OPS this spring.

The Pirates are hoping the 6-4, 270-pound Tellez, who signed a one-year, $3.2 million contract, can return to his 2022 form when he hit 23 doubles, 35 homers and 89 RBIs in 153 games for the Milwaukee Brewers. Last year, those numbers dropped to nine doubles, 13 homers and 47 RBIs, while Tellez missed a month with a broken finger.

Connor Joe, who played 53 games at first (38 starts), will serve as the right handed-hitting complement to Tellez at first base. Triolo adds another option at the position. Alika Williams, who started 33 games at shortstop last year after being acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays in June, appears positioned to be the backup middle infielder.

The Pirates believe they should be good around the horn.

“We do have a really good infield,” Tellez said. “Tri can really play second, a true pro. We have Oneil, who I think has the best arm in baseball. It’s a sight to see over there. Then you have Ke’, the best third baseman in baseball. My job is to just to stand there, catch and throw. It makes it easier when you have guys like that surrounding you.”