This Pirates player is quietly forcing a lineup decision as Konnor Griffin arrives

Baseball fans (both in Pittsburgh and otherwise) were largely disappointed by the Pirates' decision to send No. 1 overall prospect Konnor Griffin to Triple-A Indianapolis to start the season. Fortunately, his stay in the minor leagues was brief, and the 19-year-old phenom will make his MLB debut Friday at the Pirates' home opener against the Baltimore Orioles.

As expected, Triple-A pitching didn't pose much of a challenge for Griffin. He hit safely in each of his first (and only) five games, recording seven hits in total while also stealing three bases. He will provide a different kind of spark to a Pirates lineup that, to this point, has actually managed to produce some runs.

Newcomers Brandon Lowe and Ryan O'Hearn have each gotten off to tremendous starts, and Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds each homered multiple times in the Pirates' series win in Cincinnati. But one catalyst in the Bucs' early-season offensive outburst is not a player many fans expected to play such a role.

A natural consequence of starting Griffin in the minors (and Pittsburgh not acquiring a third baseman) was that Nick Gonzales would be forced into a regular role on the left side of the infield. While he was initially viewed as a weak link in the Pirates' lineup, the former top-10 overall pick has been one of the team's best bats so far this season.

Nick Gonzales — not Jared Triolo — should remain a lineup regular once Konnor Griffin arrives

Gonzales started each of the Pirates' six games on the opening road trip (primarily as the third baseman, but also starting one game each at second base and shortstop) and came away with a .333 batting average and .764 OPS. He recorded multiple hits in four of those six games and emerged as a top-of-the-order option against left-handed starters (of which they've already faced three).

That kind of production is a stark contrast to what the Pirates have gotten to this point from Jared Triolo, who was assumed to have a starting job whether Griffin made the team or not. Triolo, a Gold Glove winner in 2024, earns his keep by playing plus-to-elite defense all across the infield, which ultimately earned him the Opening Day nod at shortstop. But he's been bad at the plate so far.

Triolo began the season with just three hits in his first 20 at-bats and has stranded 13 runners on base, including two who reached to start the ninth inning of the series opener against the Reds before Triolo singlehandedly killed the rally. He hit well in the second half of the 2025 season, but to this point in 2026, he's looked much more like the hitter who's posted a career .661 OPS.

Griffin will obviously be the Pirates' starting shortstop, which means there won't be room for both Triolo and Gonzales to start on a regular basis. The former likely has a 26-man roster spot ensured thanks to his reputation as a defender — but he's best suited as a utility infielder, not an everyday starter with a below-average bat.

Gonzales, on the other hand, has earned an extended look after his hot start at the plate — even with another infielder now in the fold.