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Pirates Position Group Breakdown: Quantity Over Quality in Infield

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The Pittsburgh Pirates face the Arizona Diamondbacks at PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Photos by Harrison Barden)

This is one in a series of breaking down the Pittsburgh Pirates position groups leading up to spring training. 



The Pittsburgh Pirates’ infield this coming season is going to look quite different than it did during last year’s Opening Day in Miami.

Oneil Cruz is now in center field. Jared Triolo won a Gold Glove as a utilityman after starting the season as a second baseman. Rowdy Tellez is still a free agent after he was controversially designated for assignment at the end of last season. The lone holdover is Ke’Bryan Hayes, who is looking to bounce back after an injury-filled season.

Even after designating Alika Williams for assignment on Monday, the Pirates have 13 players on their 40-man roster who have experience playing the infield.

As things currently stand, the starting infield looks more or less set, barring any surprises during spring training.

The Pirates acquired Spencer Horwitz, who spent the 2024 campaign with the Toronto Blue Jays, from the Cleveland Guardians in a trade earlier this winter. The 27-year-old has only 112 games in the big leagues under his belt but carries a respectable .264/.355/.428 batting line.

To his right, Nick Gonzales is the favorite to start at second base. The 2020 first-rounder played in 94 games last season and hit .270 with a .709 OPS and drove in 49 runs.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who was acquired by the Pirates from the Blue Jays at last year’s trade deadline, looks destined to be the starting shortstop. The veteran is a strong defender but hit just .240/.265/.322 after joining the Pirates midseason.

And finally, the sure-handed Hayes will look for a healthy season after back issues limited him to just 96 games last year. The 2023 Gold Glove winner will be counted on to continue to provide excellent defense and more with the bat after posting a .573 OPS last year.

Outside of the starting four, the Pirates still have plenty of depth.

The Pirates have made deals for two infield options this winter in addition to Horwitz. Adam Frazier, who spent the first six years of his career in Pittsburgh, was signed to a one-year deal. Additionally, Enmanuel Valdez was acquired from the Boston Red Sox for a pitching prospect.

Triolo will try and make it back-to-back Gold Gloves and could realistically see time at all four infield positions.

Liover Peguero and Ji Hwan Bae, both of whom were well-regarded prospects, have seemingly fallen out of favor but will look to reestablish their status with the organization.

While Peguero and Bae are no longer considered prospects, the Pirates still have a couple who could have prominent roles in 2025. Nick Yorke and Billy Cook were acquired at last year’s trade deadline in separate deals. Both players made their MLB debuts late in the season and showed some good signs after strong minor-league seasons. The Pirates also have Tsung-Che Cheng, who was promoted to Triple-A Indianapolis at the end of last year and is our No. 20 organization prospect.

And finally, there’s Endy Rodríguez, a catcher by nature who has experience at both first and second base. With a fairly-crowded catcher’s room, he could see time at other positions.

But while the Pirates’ have built depth in their infield, they will need a couple of guys to emerge and take substantial steps forward. Otherwise, the infield as a collective could further hinder the Pirates’ ability to have an improved offense.

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greatWhiteAngus

The infield looks okay on the 1B side with Horwitz and NickG, not great but acceptable. Moving Cruz to CF filled that hole but having IKF at SS is not even close to ideal. Hayes, if his back is fine/fixed, I believe can put up 2023 numbers, but I think his back condition is with him going forward.

Our pitchers are going to have to put up a low ERA for us to compete for a Wild Card much less a Division title. Betting on Suwinski/Davis/Cook to put up better numbers and to hope Bart wasn’t a fluke is just too risky for an MLB team. Nutting is just never going to invest in this team.

Ron Cokeane

Agree with all points.

Willie

Hayes back will be fine once he gets out of Pittsburgh.

john benedict

I disagree, Horwitz and Gonzo just scratching surface, two big upgrades over Tellez and Triolo, especially when measuring high leverage numbers

Cruz move to CF basically swaps KINER 15% k rate, for Taylor over 34%

Hayes situation is better than last year, meaning if healthy he’s $25M third baseman
playing for $7M. If the back is an issue again, better options in Gonzo and Yorke instead of Triolo EVERYDAY

Plus new STAFF won’t let the unfit skip play him for 3 months not close to 100%

Davis, Delay and Grandal should not be mentioned in the same breath as
Bart and Rodriguez, HUGE upgrades

My current take on RF will not be popular
I have faith in underrated Josh Palacios and his knack for hitting in high leverage
Also freak sleeping (promise you) GIANT
Nick Yorke along with poor man’s Ben ZOBRIST Billy Cook

Are they unproven? Not any less then Dela Cruz, Joe and Oliveras
If you’ve seem them play, you understand the upside that wasn’t developed here

Cruz is primed for a monster year as is BRey

Rotation- Skenes, Keller, Jones, Falter and/or Ferguson

CHANGES
-Chandler early on instead of Perez and Gonzales

-Oviedo instead of Ortiz

Burrows, Ashcraft and Harrington as SPOT starters
INSTEAD OF
Priester, Woodford, Fleming and German

The PEN could try to be worse than last year but its an impossible
Enter Brent Strom and MIGGY Perez

Up until Frazier, thought they had a good off season which IMO
started at the deadline with Cook, Yorke, Kiner coupled with Horwitz and
Endy Rodriguez who has NEVER started 4 games in a row in BIGS

Do us all a favor

LET THE KID GET LOCKED IN FFS
HE’S A FREAK

Ron Cokeane

Not that I have the best eye for talent, but I just don’t get the lack of love in this organization for Liover Peguero. Of everybody they have, I think he has the best profile for filling that position on a daily basis. He can make the plays, he hasn’t embarrassed himself at the plate, and he brings an enthusiasm that is infectious. He’s not an impact player, but he can hold the fort down until Griffin comes along. Somebody’s got to bat 9th anyway.
Imagine if the had Peggy and Endy on the field at the same time. Lots of positive energy.

Willie

agree totally. i would like to see Peguero get a shot at starting and playing regularly.

Ron Cokeane

They are going to have to find a place for Nick Yorke to play, I think. He’s going to be a serious hitter. If Ke’Bryan can’t stay on the field…

Mark Molnar

Could Gonzo play short? Then Yorke /Frazier at 2b. Endy needs to play. 1b platoon. Triolo defense replacement to support young pitching. And Bae is outstanding Of defense. I’m not convinced our outfield defense is adequate.

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