Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Five Notable Second Half Performances

4 of 6

BRADENTON, FLORIDA – MARCH 16: Jared Triolo #85 of the Pittsburgh Pirates poses for a picture during the 2022 Photo Day at LECOM Park on March 16, 2022 in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

Infielder Jared Triolo

Jared Triolo turned in a quality 2021 season for the High-A Greensboro Grasshoppers. He flew under the radar, having a .849 OPS, .371 wOBA, and 128 wRC+. It was the second season in a row he had a wRC+ of at least 110 and a strikeout rate under 20%, coming in at 19.9%. While not known for his power, he did have 15 dingers and a .176 ISO.

Now at Altoona, Triolo wrapped up his season with a .282/.376/.419 line. While Triolo did see his ISO drop to .136, he increased his walk rate to 12.7%, and his strikeout rate decreased to 17.6%. On top of that, he swiped 24 bags. Triolo ended the season with a .795 OPS, .356 wOBA, and 121 wRC+. This made it three seasons in a row where Triolo had a sub-20% K% and wRC+ of at least 110.

But Triolo would do a whole lot better in the second half. Triolo’s last 139 plate appearances of 2022 saw him bat .320/.396/.598, leading to an OPS just two ticks below 1.000 at .998. Triolo walked at an 11.5% rate and had a 19.4% strikeout rate, but the most significant uptick was his power output. Triolo had a sub-.100 ISO through the first half of 2022, coming in with a .079 mark, but then went on to post a .279 rate throughout the rest of the year. With his increased power, Triolo ended the second half with a .424 wOBA and 166 wRC+.

Triolo isn’t known for his bat but much more for his defensive prowess. He’s arguably the best defensive infielder in the Pirates’ system. But his bat is trending in the right direction, and he consistently posts decent numbers. Triolo is a third baseman by trade but has seen an increasing amount of time at shortstop and started to take reps in center field. The outfield isn’t completely unfamiliar territory for Triolo, though, as he played a decent bit of the grass in college.

With third base, shortstop, and second base already having plenty of options, Triolo may find a role as a utility man or outfielder. Next year is the infielder’s age-25 campaign, so he’ll surely get a shot at some point during the year. He may even break camp with the Pittsburgh Pirates next spring if he hits well and is healthy.

Home/Pirates Prospects