Triolo's versatility leads to his first career Gold Glove Award

Jared Triolo remembers the sensation of making an attempt out a brand new place within the Minors. He had primarily been a 3rd baseman in his first years of professional ball — and a fairly good one defensively, profitable a Minor League Gold Glove in 2021 — however the Pirates needed to see if he may excel at different positions as nicely. Versatility is a good promoting level for a younger participant, in any case.

The experiment began to choose up in 2022, giving him extra reps at shortstop and beginning in heart area. Second and first base would comply with. As Triolo was studying these new positions, he felt comfy, or at the very least extra comfy than he felt his teammates had been at their new spots.

“Simply realizing I used to be fairly good at enjoying completely different positions, I feel that was a giant confidence [boost] for me,” Triolo stated over Zoom Monday.

On Sunday, Triolo’s versatility was rewarded. The Pirate infielder was named the winner of the Rawlings Gold Glove Award for Nationwide League utilitymen, edging out Kiké Hernández of the Dodgers and Brendan Donovan of the Cardinals. It’s Triolo’s first Gold Glove.

Triolo eyed a Gold Glove as a objective for himself in his first full Main League season, particularly after breaking camp because the crew’s on a regular basis second baseman. Whereas he performed nicely within the area, he struggled offensively early and misplaced the job to Nick Gonzales. Triolo stayed within the Majors and moved right into a utility function for a lot of the season earlier than taking on at third base for Ke’Bryan Hayes as soon as he hit the injured checklist.

At the same time as he bounced round second, third, shortstop, first base and a cameo within the outfield, Triolo offered constant defensive outcomes, leading to seven defensive runs saved.

“Initially I feel once I realized I used to be going to play second base, second base was the objective I had,” Triolo stated. “I feel a utility Gold Glove is all of the extra particular.”

Plenty of Triolo’s defensive worth comes from his consistency. Amongst Nationwide League infielders with at the very least 300 innings performed, Triolo’s .995 fielding proportion as a second baseman was tied for one of the best within the League, and his .985 fielding proportion as a 3rd baseman was tops within the Senior Circuit. He additionally had his share of flashy performs, along with his finest arguably being a diving seize in proper area on a Jake McCarthy bloop to ship the Pirates and Diamondbacks into further innings. It was Triolo’s first inning on the place as an expert.

Triolo credit that confidence and comfortability to bounce round to the teaching employees and the additional work they put in with him.

“I am a man who likes to take loads of floor balls and really feel comfy, and that is simply the best way I really feel comfy is getting a bunch of reps,” Triolo stated. “I imply, DK [bench coach Don Kelly] was on the market each single day with me. [Infield coach] Mendy López. [Major League assistant] Alex Jimenez. I imply, there’s simply guys — even on day video games too, on the finish of the season, once I’m making an attempt to modify over to 3rd base or second base or no matter, doubling up my work. There’s loads of guys to thank for that.”

Triolo now joins a rising group of Pirate infielders with a Gold Glove on their resume. Hayes gained one at third base in 2023, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa gained one in ’20. Assuming Hayes’ rehab for his again damage goes nicely this winter, it’s fairly doable the Pirates may boast the most effective infield defenses within the recreation in ’25.

“Look across the infield and there is loads of tremendous gifted gamers,” Triolo stated. “I imply, IKF and myself, we will play a magnitude of positions. So yeah, I feel protection subsequent yr will certainly be a key piece of us shifting ahead.”

The query is the place does Triolo match into these infield plans? He’s proven the worth his glove can convey, and if he’s requested to bounce round once more, he’s ready to do it.

“I feel my largest asset proper now’s enjoying a bunch of positions and being able to tackle no matter place they put me at,” Triolo stated. “So I have not actually thought an excessive amount of a few place for subsequent season. Clearly, I am gonna get my work in every single place and simply form of see the place the playing cards get dealt. And, hopefully it is not with a catcher’s glove.”