Pirates All 40: Did Jared Triolo Figure it out Offensively?
This is one in a series breaking down players on the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 40-man roster.
Jared Triolo paired his excellent defense with strong offense down the stretch in his first year with the Pirates. During the 2023 season, Triolo appeared in 54 games and slashed .298/.388/.398 with nine doubles, three home runs, 21 RBI and six stolen bases.
The solid showing at the plate was at least part of the reason Triolo won the starting second base job out of spring training the following season. But while Triolo’s glove remained steady, his offensive output was not replicated.
Triolo played in a career-high 125 games in 2024. While he initially started as the Pirates’ second baseman, the 2019 second-round pick eventually shifted to a utility role. He appeared in games at all four infield positions — and one game in right field — and won the National League Gold Glove as a utility player.
But while he excelled defensively for the Pirates, Triolo hit just .216 with a .611 OPS and 20 extra-base hits including nine home runs.
It was a similar showing for Triolo to begin the 2025 season. The 27-year-old carried a .158 batting average with a .519 OPS in 94 games through early July. Given his prolonged struggles that carried well into the summer, the Pirates finally optioned Triolo to Triple-A Indianapolis. But after trading Ke’Bryan Hayes at the trade deadline, Triolo was recalled and looked like a different player.
In 52 games over the final two months of the season, Triolo slashed .276/.353/.422 with 12 doubles, a pair of triples, four home runs, 14 RBI and eight stolen bases. With the strong finish, he ended the year with a .227/.311/.356 batting line in 107 games and was again named a Gold Glove finalist for a utility player.
There’s no questioning Triolo’s surehandedness as a defender. It seems like just about anywhere he plays, he’s going to provide quality defense.
But for a team starved for offense, Triolo’s performance to end the season was particularly encouraging. Although he’s finished the season on a high note before, the Pirates are hoping his most recent stretch is more than a mirage.
With top prospect Konnor Griffin waiting in the shadows, Triolo can be a stopgap at shortstop until he’s ready. Triolo can also man third or second base — two positions the Pirates need to improve — once Griffin is promoted to Pittsburgh.
Regardless of what his role might look like, Triolo looks primed to have a spot on the Pirates’ Opening Day roster in March. He could start at one of the infield spots or once again bounce around after the roster is finalized.
But whatever that role ends up being, Triolo will need to prove that what he showed during the final eight weeks of this past season at the plate was no fluke.
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The only two times Triolo has put up good numbers were due to huge BABIP numbers. The 2nd time, this past August, he put up a 400 BABIP and it was above average in September as well. When Triolo had good numbers in 2023, and people thought he deserved the 1B job, his BABIP was a record high 440.
When those numbers regress so did Triolo, bigly. He’s a utility player, not a starter.
Fast-track Griffin to the big leagues and let’s see what he has to show. In the meantime, start Triolo on a short leash at 3rd and let him play.
What’s the worst that can happen…the Bucs finish in last place?
I’m anxious for Konner to reach the majors but I worry about hurting him by bringing on too soon. I’ll leave it to the Pirates to make that decision.
If Konnor has a great spring I’d love to see the Bucs lock him down like the Brewers did Chourio. Since 2027 might be a lost season due to labor issues I’d like the Bucs to take a chance and give Griffin a legit shot to make the 26man
If the Bucs get a left-handed third baseman, Triolo would make a great platoon partner as well as a utility guy. Late inning defensive replacement. I would rather he not be handed any starting job.