PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – When Ke’Bryan Hayes landed on the injured list in late June last year, it was finally an opportunity for 2019 second-round pick Jared Triolo to reach the majors. He took that opportunity, built on it and now he’s a starter at a new position.
Second base was supposed to be the deepest in the organization entering last year with first-round pick Nick Gonzales, Liover Piguero (acquired in the Starling Marte trade), Ji Hwan Bae, Rodolfo Castro and Tucupita Marcano. None of them are the second baseman in 2024, it’s Triolo.
Twice voted as the Bill Mazeroski Defender of the Year (Pirates best minor league defensive player), Triolo spent the offseason as he usually does, fanatic about his defense. This time it’s learning a whole new position.
“Just a lot more comfortable than I was when I left last season,” Triolo told 93.7 The Fan. “Just having the whole offseason to work over there and get a lot of time over there in Spring Training. It’s been good seeing the different types of balls.”
What he means by that is not just the work on the relays and around the bag, the ball spins different ways at second base. There are different angles. You have a defender on each side of you. There are more outfield and back-up responsibilities and he said you really don’t understand it until you do it a few times.
“Defensively he’s improved around the bag,” said Pirates manager Derek Shelton. “He’s a big guy and we know how good he is at third base. Moving to second, that’s a challenging position to play for a guy of his size. Around the bag on the turns is where it’s been the most impressive in terms of improvement.”
Why is it that it doesn’t matter where Triolo plays, he’ll master it defensively?
“I take a lot of pride in helping the pitchers out,” Triolo told 93.7 The Fan. “Something about seeing them come into the dugout sweating their butt off and pitching as well and as best as they can gives you a little motivation to help them out a little bit. That’s kind of what I do it for. Quick defensive innings helps pitchers.”
You know what else helps pitchers, runs. Shelton said Triolo started to find his offense after he sent back to the minors last year. He said it was a ‘little adjustment’ in his swing. Triolo really took to it and he’s been able to continue and repeat it.
This Spring, Triolo hit .310 with a .383 on-base percentage with a pair of homers in 42 at bats. That follows up a September where the average with the Pirates was .368, .471 on-base percentage with nine extra base hits. He had multiple hit games in six of his last eight.
“Confidence, seeing the ball come off the bat in a big-league stadium how you want it to gives you a lot of confidence,” Triolo told 93.7 The Fan. “Being around some of these guys, it helps you learn what you need to do and how to get there. It felt good to do that at the end of the season.”
Triolo said even with all of the work at second in the offseason, he will play wherever. He just wants to be in the majors with this team because he has a good feeling about 2024.
“We are showing glimpses of really special things and I think we will have a special season coming up,” Triolo said.
If he can keep up his hitting with that consistent defense, he’ll be a part of that.