Pirates' Jared Triolo looks to carry his strong second half into a massive 2026 season

Pittsburgh Pirates' slugger Jared Triolo has been used at multiple positions throughout his short career thus far. He has experience playing first, second, and third base, has played some games at shortstop, and even played an inning in right field. 

In 2024, he won the National League Gold Glove Award for utility players, but that is not the only Gold Glove Award he has won. He also won a minor league Gold Glove Award in 2021 at third base. 

And with the departure of Ke'Bryan Hayes, Triolo is expected to take the majority of the reps over at third base now. 

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Pirates' Jared Triolo looks to carry his strong second half into a massive 2026 season

While many look at Triolo for his elite defensive prowess, his bat could come out and surprise many this upcoming season. He had a great second half at the plate last season, and Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter predicts him to continue that into the 2026 season. 

"Triolo is an elite defensive player with a Gold Glove on his resume as a utility player, and after Ke'Bryan Hayes was traded to the Cincinnati Reds last summer, he now lines up as Pittsburgh's everyday third baseman. While his glove is the focus, he also quietly went from a non-factor at the plate during the first half to productive during the second half, and a 100 OPS+ over a full season might be enough to make him a 4-WAR player."

If Triolo can step up offensively, the Pirates could be an incredibly fun team to watch this season. They have all the means to be a scrappy bunch in the NL Central, especially if Bubba Chandler makes the Opening Day roster. He and Paul Skenes could be one of the most intimidating one-two punches in all of baseball.

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