Should Jared Triolo Have a Defined Role for Pirates Next Season?
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For a team coming off a 100-loss season last year, it’s no surprise that the Pittsburgh Pirates would look towards a youth movement, for the 2023 season.
During the course of this year, the Pirates called up 15 different rookies to the main roster. One of those handful of prospects was Jared Triolo.
After recovering from a hamate bone injury, Triolo made his season debut with the Indianapolis Indians, in the first week of May. He had a batting line of .293/.403/.436.
Triolo would receive his call up to Pittsburgh on June 28th. At the time of his promotion, he was ranked the 16th best Pirates prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.
With an injury to Ke’Bryan Hayes, Triolo found himself getting most of his work at third base. Like Hayes, Triolo is also an exceptional, defender at the hot corner.
The Pirates optioned Triolo back to Indianapolis on August 18th, this after Ji-hwan Bae returned from the IL.
Triolo would be recalled by the Pirates on September 6th. While Ke’Bryan Hayes, Jack Suwinski, and Joshua Palacios have been terrific this month, the numbers for Triolo are just as productive. Among MLB players, with a minimum of 50 plate appearances, Triolo’s .492 September OBP is second highest.
In a total of 196 plate appearances, for the Pirates, Triolo is slashing .302/.393/.402, along with a 121 wRC+, a 2.2 bWAR, and a 1.8 fWAR.
During his time in the minors, Triolo had been widely recognized as an elite level defensive third baseman, and it’s definitely as advertised in the bigs, with +4 Defensive Runs Saved. In addition, he’s played a steady, first base, posting +2 DRS, while recording +2 Outs Above Average at second base.
Based on his successful, 2023 rookie campaign, should Triolo be given a defined role for the Pirates entering next year?
The on base figures for Triolo are outstanding, however, the power numbers leave some to be desired, especially if he’s going to play first base everyday, which some have suggested. Personally, I don’t think Triolo getting time as a regular first baseman is ideal. I would though be okay, with him being a first base option in a platoon.
Nick Gonzales and Liover Peguero will be two candidates to compete for the Pirates second base job. Triolo should also be considered for that spot.
The most obvious given would be Triolo serving as a primary backup third baseman to Hayes.
If Triolo is going to have a starting job on Pittsburgh’s 2024 Opening Day roster, then it could be at second base - provided that he can outperform both Gonzales and Peguero in Spring Training. Should Triolo come off the bench, then I would be fine with him bouncing around at different positions and playing on a semi-regular basis.