Jared Triolo Getting Results After Latest Recall; How Good Has He Been? Key to Success
PITTSBRUGH — Jared Triolo has provided the Pittsburgh Pirates with Gold Glove defense but hasn’t had the same success at the plate.
Triolo was named the National League Gold Glove winner for utility players last year and continues to play well defensively at multiple spots this season.
However, his lowly offense forced the Pirates to option the 27-year-old to Triple-A Indianapolis on July 11. But since he was recalled after the trade deadline, Triolo has shown drastic improvement at the plate.
“Probably just better execution. Just kinda swinging at the right pitches,” Triolo said on the key to his success. “Not swinging at pitcher’s pitches is the big thing for me. Hitting the mistakes.”
Triolo’s hot stretch continued in the Pirates’ 5-1 win over the Colorado Rockies at PNC Park on Saturday night. Batting leadoff against the left-handed Kyle Freeland, Triolo belted a two-run home run in the third inning and just missed a second in the fifth, instead settling for his second career triple and first of the season.
Triolo’s home run was his first since June 19 against the Tigers in Detroit. His triple was his first in almost exactly a calendar year.
Though he would’ve liked to complete the cycle, Triolo was pleased with his performance.
“I got the two hardest ones (of the cycle) out of the way, but that would’ve been cool.”
In 20 games since he was recalled, Triolo is batting .303 (20 for 66) with four doubles, one triple, a home run and five RBI. He’s also stolen three bases and has drawn 10 walks in 77 plate appearances.
Throughout his first-half struggles, manager Don Kelly remained adamant that Triolo’s quality of contact did not match his statistics, but that bad luck is starting to change.
“Man, he’s swinging the bat great. Barreling balls,” said Kelly. “Honestly, his swing throughout the year, he didn’t have the results to show for it. I know he wished the results were there, but we’re starting to see that.”
After his performance on Saturday, Triolo’s batting average is above the Mendoza Line for the first time this season (now at .205). His .621 OPS at the end of the game is his highest mark since last year on Sep. 16, when he had a .622 OPS after going 1 for 3 against the St. Louis Cardinals.
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