Jared Triolo’s Gold Glove repeat should end Pirates’ position juggling for good

The Pittsburgh Pirates have had a problem on the left side of their infield for years. Offensive inconsistency, defensive miscues and a revolving door of players have made the third base and shortstop positions a headache, especially with the recent departures of Ke'Bryan Hayes and Isiah Kiner-Falefa. But Jared Triolo’s emergence in 2025 might be a solution.

Triolo earning a second straight Gold Glove nomination as a utility player signals that his defense is already elite and consistent. He was in the lineup nearly every day after the trade deadline, starting at either shortstop or third base, and he quickly became a defensive anchor at both positions – all while his offense began trending upward as well.

In 52 games after the All-Star Break, Triolo slashed .276/.353/.422, compared to .158/.253/.266 in 55 games before the break. His best month of the season was in August – when he took over as the Pirates' everyday third baseman – as he hit .315 with two home runs, eight RBI, 15 walks and a .884 OPS through 28 at-bats.

Triolo’s late-season offensive improvement in 2025 – which coincided with his becoming an everyday starter – is critical. Even if he wasn’t a full-season hitter earlier, his ability to hit for average, get on base and contribute some power down the stretch shows he can handle Major League pitching. If he can carry that momentum into 2026, he adds some juice to a lineup that desperately needs it (though it will still need a lot more help than that).

Jared Triolo's Gold Glove-caliber defense and emerging bat have earned him an everyday role in the Pirates' lineup

Triolo’s defense and emerging bat allow the Pirates to lock him into a full-time infield position, eliminating the constant experimentation that disrupts player development. This stability would benefit both the infield alignment and offensive consistency for the Pirates, since players wouldn't be constantly moving to cover gaps.

Triolo is still in his pre-arbitration years, so the Pirates are getting elite defense at a low cost. By locking him in at third base (or shortstop), the team avoids spending free-agent dollars or trading prospects for marginal upgrades, which is crucial given the Pirates’ limited payroll flexibility.

Triolo solves a problem the Pirates have had for years, providing a foundation for stability at a critical position. He combines Gold-Glove defense with emerging offensive production, which is exactly what Pittsburgh needs on the left side of the infield, particularly at third base. His rise means the team can stop moving players around, solidify the infield and focus on improving other areas – like corner outfield – instead of constantly trying to fix third base.