Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects 2021 Season Recap: Jared Triolo

Following a strong season with High-A Greensboro in 2021 infielder Jared Triolo is a prospect whose stock is trending upward with the Pittsburgh Pirates

With the 72nd overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft the Pittsburgh Pirates selected infielder Jared Triolo. The right-handed hitting Triolo was selected out of the University of Houston and appeared to be a hitter who could climb through the Pirate farm system quickly.

Following an impressive professional debut in 2019 when Triolo posted a 10.2% walk rate and 110 wRC+ in 264 plate appearances at the Low-A level, Triolo was one of many prospects across baseball who did not play in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, however, Triolo spent the entire season with High-A Greensboro and reminded people why he was a top 100 draft pick.

In 473 PAs across 108 games played with the Grasshoppers Triolo hit for a .304/.369/.480 slash line to go with a 128 wRC+. Triolo walked in 9% of his trips to the plate, hit 15 home runs and collected extra base hits at a 9.4% rate.

Triolo also flashed his athletic ability. The sneaky athletic infielder stole 25 bags for the Grasshoppers during the 2021 season. He also grounded into just one double play in his 473 trips to the plate.

At Greensboro Triolo had a strong 24% line-drive rate. His 38% ground ball rate was better than league average. His increase in fly balls from 2019 also led to an increase in home run/fly ball rate as 12.1% of the fly balls he hit in 2021 went for home runs.

Triolo was played both third base and shortstop with Greensboro this past season. He played 897 innings at third base and 44 innings at shortstop. Triolo committed 10 errors at third base and no errors at shortstop.

Moving forward, Triolo’s ability to play multiple positions will add to his value in the Pirate farm system. Especially with Ke’Bryan Hayes appearing to have third base on lockdown for the foreseeable future at the Major League level. It would not be a surprise to see Triolo start to play other positions during the 2022 season as well.

When the 2022 season begins Triolo would appear to be a slam dunk to start with Double-A Altoona. When the season begins Triolo will be 24-years-old so he will be looking to move up the ladder quickly.

If Triolo can have anywhere near the success in 2022 that he did in 2021, he could find himself with Triple-A Indianapolis sooner rather than later in 2022. In fact, despite having never played above the High-A level, it would not be a shock to see Triolo start 2022 with Indianapolis. Regardless of where he begins the 2022 season, Triolo will be a prospect for Pittsburgh Pirates fans to follow during the 2022 season.