Jared Triolo’s short career to this point hasn’t been particularly flashy. Outside of winning a Gold Glove for his utility efforts in 2024, the now 28-year-old has received little national attention. That isn’t too surprising—he carries just an 86 career OPS+. Still, Triolo might be primed to break out for an up-and-coming Bucs roster this year.
When Triolo came up in 2023, he was nothing short of excellent. He put up 2.0 WAR in just 54 games and hit .298, far surpassing his minor league production. This stretch came at the tail end of a disappointing Pirates season, so it flew somewhat under the radar, but it generated real excitement within the fanbase heading into 2024.
That excitement didn’t fully materialize. The 2024 season was a mixed bag. Yes, Triolo won a Gold Glove—and deservedly so—but he struggled mightily at the plate, posting a putrid .611 OPS. He hit just .216, and more concerning was the lack of power, as he totaled only 20 extra-base hits across 125 games.
Then came 2025, and Triolo found himself without an Opening Day job. His early-season performance reflected that uncertainty, as he failed to post an OPS above .530 in any month as the Buccos entered July. He received just seven at-bats in July, and it began to look like the Jared Triolo experiment might be nearing its end.
However, everything changed at the trade deadline. After both Ke’Bryan Hayes and Isiah Kiner-Falefa were moved, Triolo stepped in as the club’s everyday shortstop—and took off in a big way.
With consistent playing time in August, Triolo posted an .884 OPS, a mark rarely seen in his profile. While that number may not jump off the page compared to league stars, when paired with Triolo’s elite defense and versatility, even an OPS north of .750 makes him an extremely valuable player.
We know the kind of physical potential Triolo possesses. At 6-foot-3, 212 pounds, he has the build of a power-hitting shortstop, similar to players like Corey Seager. If he can rediscover the contact-driven approach from his rookie year or develop even modest power, turning more balls into doubles or home runs, we could suddenly be looking at a player worth north of 5 WAR.
And for a Pirates team that has added talent to the top of the lineup, having a player of that caliber hitting toward the bottom would be a major boost to overall depth and offensive consistency.
Triolo enters this season in yet another new role. He has been a utility man, a first baseman, and a middle infielder, but this year he is slated to be the Opening Day starter at third base, his natural position. Perhaps with less defensive fluctuation, he can focus more on refining his approach at the plate.
There are no guarantees that Triolo finds this offensive breakout. But if he does, watch out, because it could take this Pirates lineup to another level.
