Spring training battles to watch for the Pittsburgh Pirates

Second base

Second base could be one of the best battles to watch this spring. Liover Peguero, Jared Triolo, Ji Hwan Bae, and Nick Gonzales will be competing for the job. All four players spent time in the majors last season and all four flashed at times.

Of the four, Triolo was the best offensive performer. However, he benefited greatly from an unsustainably high batting average on balls in play. Gonzales struggled with the swing-and-miss, often looking overmatched by MLB pitching. Bae spent the most time in the majors, but was one of the team's worst hitters.

As I wrote about earlier this month, 2024 presents a great opportunity for Peguero. The Pirate front office remains extremely high on him, next to Triolo he's best defensive option for second base, and he likely has the highest offensvie ceiling of the group.

It would be a surprise if Peguero does not open the season as the team's starting second baseman. Hopefully he will seize the bull by the horns and run with the opportunity. It will be interesting to see how much leash the Pirates give Peguero if he begins to struggle.