The ultra utility man for the Pittsburgh Pirates just added another part of the baseball field to his now extensive résumé.
Jared Triolo has ben shifted all around the infield over the course of his professional baseball career. More traditionally used on the left side of the infield in previous years, Triolo at first shifted to a full time spot at second base after winning the big league job out of spring training.
However, as his bat faltered and the Pirates looked to improve offensively (a seemingly never ending challenge), Pittsburgh called up Nick Gonzales, who took over at his natural position of second base. Gonzales quickly became an everyday player in the Pirates lineup, relegating Triolo to a utility role.
Triolo’s defense and glove work is a useful asset to have. He leaves a lot left to be desired at the plate, but he does leave the Pirates with options, being able to fill in virtually wherever.
That “wherever” was further put to the test on Sunday afternoon, as the Pirates hoped to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Triolo started the game at second base, but things got rather crazy in the ninth inning. Down by a run, the Pirates used a flurry of pinch hitters (and a pinch runner) in an effort to keep the game going.
Derek Shelton had the following moves happen in the top of the ninth:
- Rowdy Tellez pinch hit for Connor Joe
- Alika Williams pinch run for Rowdy Tellez
- Joey Bart pinch hit for Michael A. Taylor
Pittsburgh did prevail, scoring a key run in the ninth. But the aftermath of all those pinch guys meant a ton of defensive moves had to be made. Manager Derek Shelton did that, and then some:
- Joey Bart moved from a pinch hitter to catcher
- Yasmani Grandal moves from C to 1B
- Alika Williams moves from PR to 2B
- Ji Hwan Bae moves from RF to CF
- Jared Triolo moves from 2B to RF
For Yasmani Grandal, it was the first time all season he played a position other than catcher for the Pirates, and the first time he appeared in a game as a first baseman since August 20th of last year.
But for Jared Triolo, he was moving to an entirely new area: the outfield. Triolo took over in right field to cover for a gap that has resulted from the other moves. Maybe the Pirates were hoping that they wouldn’t have to figure out how good Triolo was in the outfield. Instead, they looked on as a shallow ball was chipped his way.
The catch was challenged by the Diamondbacks, but eventually upheld and called as the third out of the bottom of the ninth, sending the game to extras still tied at 2-2.
Pittsburgh did eventually pull out the win, 6-5, avoiding the sweep and remaining above .500 at 53-52.
Triolo stayed in right field for the tenth inning, which was plenty eventful. After the Pirates had gone up 6-2 in the top of the tenth, the Diamondbacks stormed all the way back and had the game-tying run just 90 feet away. That triple, hit by Corbin Carroll, was sent sharply down the right field line Triolo’s way.
Triolo didn’t do a great job fielding it, being partially responsible for Carroll ending up at third base. But luckily for him, it didn’t end up costing the team.
It was his first time playing in the outfield in his major league career, and only just the eighth time in his pro career.
Back when he was in Double-A ball with Altoona in 2022, Triolo spent 7 games at center field for the Curve. Those 62.2 innings stood as his only pro experience anywhere in the outfield, until yesterday.
Though I don’t expect Triolo to become a mainstay in Pittsburgh’s outfield, it was interesting to see him in a new place. And it’s likely the team will be further testing his availability, now that Gonzales has landed on the Injured List, suffering a groin injury in the second game of Pittsburgh’s series in Arizona on Saturday.
Gonzales’ status has been described as “weeks, not days,” which opens up more playing time for Triolo.
He will have to contend with Alika Williams, who was recalled in Gonzales’ absence and had himself quite the last few weeks in Indianapolis down in Triple-A, but Triolo will probably be leaned on more.
Though Triolo has played in 77 games this season, only 72 have seen him play as a fielder. In those 72 games, he has played 38 at second base, 28 at third base, 9 at shortstop, and 3 at first base (though those came as separate single-inning appearances).
But now, Triolo has a fifth spot on the field to check off his list, more than anyone on the Pirates roster. Depending on how you look at it, he may only need a pair of positions left to cross them all off. If you’re excluding pitcher and catcher, all he needs is left field and center field.
Although, I have to say, I think if he ever gets far enough to play those other outfield spots, you have to take a blowout loss (or win) and put him as a pitcher and/or catcher.
It’s not common in major league history to have a player appear at every position during a season. Jared Triolo could be joining a very exclusive club that has notable names like César Tovar, Cookie Rojas, Bert Campaneris, Shane Halter, Don Kelly (Pirates’ bench coach), Jose Oquendo, Scott Sheldon, and Andrew Romine.
Only time will tell though if Triolo can collect them all. He’s already more than halfway there.
(Featured photo by Gene J. Puskar/AP)
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