PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – No position is more wide-open this Spring Training than second base. The Pirates have options including a former first-round pick and a player who was key in a trade for Starling Marte.
Each player has their strength whether it's speed, defense, hitting for average or budding power. Here is a look at the candidates.
Liover Peguero
Acquired as a 19-year-old from the Arizona Diamondbacks as a part of the Marte deal, Peguero hit seven home runs in 59 games in the majors last year, but the average was just .237 with a .280 OBP and .374 slugging percentage. Back to the power, along with the seven homers in the majors, the right-handed hitter had 13 home runs in 76 games between AA and AAA with 20 doubles.
Defensively the fielding percentage was .963 in the minors and .960 in MLB.
Nick Gonzales
The seventh overall selection in the 2020 MLB Draft by the Pirates, Gonzales has dealt with injuries his first couple of seasons. His second year in the pros was disappointing, seven home runs and a .264 average in 74 games. It may have taken him out of some conversations, but the right-handed hitter had 49 extra base hits in 2023 and did so at the highest minor league level. At AAA Indy, the right-hand hitter had 27 doubles, eight triples, 14 home runs, a .284 average, .382 OBP and .506 slugging percentage.
Gonzales got an opportunity to prove himself, in 77 at bats playing consistently last July he hit just one homer with five doubles with a .234 average that month with a .338 slugging percentage. His best defensive position on the infield is second base, a .983 fielding percentage.
Ji Hwan Bae
He's the speed option at second base, but it's about his ability to get on base. The 24-year-old got 334 at bats in 111 games in the majors last year, the average was .231 with a .296 on-base percentage and .311 slugging percentage. Bae stole 24 bases in 33 attempts.
Bae was a regular in May hitting .304, but followed that up with a .159 average in June. The switch-hitter would close the season hitting .207 with a .253 on-base percentage in September.
There wasn't much power-17 doubles, two triples and two home runs with a .964 fielding percentage at second base.
Jared Triolo
The most consistent offensively, Triolo came up as a third baseman and hit .298 with a .388 OBP in 181 at bats. The slugging was .398 with three home runs and nine doubles. The right-handed hitter came on as the season progressed. The 26-year-old hit a remarkable .368 in September with a .471 OBP and .596 slugging percentage in 57 at bats.
At 6'3", 210 pounds, Triolo didn't make an error in 13 games at second and only started playing the position as a pro last season. A Bucs 72nd overall pick in 2019 has hit for average his entire career, but has struggled with power.
Alika Williams
Still just 24-years-old and a former Tampa Bay first-round pick, Alika Williams is the wild card. No doubt the best defensive player, the right-handed hitter had a .198 average with a .270 OBP in 101 at bats in 2023. He's never had great offensive numbers, but did hit a career-best 12 home runs and .468 slugging in 78 games in the minors in 2023.
Williams can play any infield position as a utility player. Triolo has experience at the corner infield positions. Peguero and Gonzales can play shortstop and Bae could end up being the starting centerfielder.
There were times last season you could make a strong case for any of them. Every Spring at bat will be crucial in the best battle of the preseason.
