Selectivity at plate makes Pirates' Jared Triolo more than good glove

As the Pittsburgh Pirates inch toward September, Jared Triolo is making the most of his opportunities on the field.

Since the July 31 trade deadline, Triolo has seen an uptick in playing time to prove he could be a viable option for the team’s future. In 18 games, he’s slashed .276/.382/.345, scored nine runs, stolen three bases and recorded the second-highest offensive WAR (1.3) among qualified hitters on the team over that stretch.

“He’s getting into a great rhythm and is having great at-bats,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said. “He’s running the bases really well, playing great defense and swinging the bat. He’s swung the bat pretty good all year, just didn’t have a lot to show for it. He’s starting to get a little more results now.”

What has stood out the most during Triolo’s extended opportunity is his being selective at the plate. Over 73 games, Triolo has drawn 27 walks for an 11.8% walk rate. Since the deadline, the 27-year-old utility infielder has drawn 10 walks and seen his rate climb to 14.5%, tied for 21st among major-league hitters over that time.

Triolo drew three walks against the Blue Jays on Aug. 18 and drew at least one in four straight games at the beginning of the month. His new approach comes from an inward look at the product he’s put on the field this year. After hitting .216 last year with a .296 on-base percentage, he’s hit .193 three home runs and 13 RBIs this year, which are some of the worst numbers of his major-league career. Triolo was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on July 11 before being recalled Aug. 1.

While searching for some type of solution to solve his struggles at the plate, Triolo asked himself a question: Why am I not hitting the way I’m wanting to?

“Get better pitches to hit,” Triolo said. “I think that’s what I narrowed it down to.”

Triolo doesn’t carry the same approach to every at-bat. He says it varies depending on who he is facing, but he’s been more selective. He’s always looking for pitches to drive while staying away from “pitcher’s pitches.”

“I think I kind of lost track of that for a little bit,” Triolo said, “so kind of getting back to that.”

Triolo’s preparation and in-game adjustments have played a role in his increased patience at the plate as well. Pirates hitting coach Matt Hague said Triolo’s “buy-in levels are so high right now,” and his improvement is a direct result of that. Hague said Triolo consistently watches film in the middle of the game to review how he is approaching each at-bat, and then he applies what he learns to his next at-bat.

“During a game, he’s walking through how he’s viewing it, what he’s executing and what he’s not,” Hague said. “But I think his review process and the questions he’s asking within himself ultimately lead to the commitment I think you’re seeing in the game. I think it’s him growing and asking the right questions about what that looks like for him, and he’s been very detailed with his work. So I think it’s just attention to detail and executing what he says he’s going to do.”

Consistent playing time is also beneficial. Before the Pirates traded Ke’Bryan Hayes to the Cincinnati Reds at the deadline, there were times this year when Triolo would go four to five games without an at-bat because of matchups. With third base open, the Pirates elected to move Isiah Kiner-Falefa to the hot corner and give Triolo an extended run at shortstop. Since then, Triolo has played five games at third base and 13 at shortstop.

Knowing which position he’s going to play daily hasn’t contributed to his improvement at the plate. However, being in the lineup every day has its perks.

“I think seeing pitches consistently definitely helps,” Triolo said.

With Kiner-Falefa set to be a free agent after this season and Liover Peguero filling a role similar to Triolo’s over the last few seasons by playing multiple positions, the team is undecided about what to do at shortstop.

Konnor Griffin, the unanimous top prospect in baseball, is quickly moving through the Pirates’ system and has already picked up four hits and two RBIs in three games for the Altoona Curve after being promoted earlier this week. A promotion to the major-league level by next year isn’t out of the question.

If Triolo continues his improvement at the plate, he could find himself in the lineup every day until Griffin arrives in Pittsburgh. However, he’s just trying to contribute in any way he can.

“I’m definitely trying to get better as a hitter,” Triolo said, “and be valuable, in that aspect, to the team.”