Jared

Triolo

Ke’Bryan Hayes’ back injury gave Triolo a reprieve when Nick Gonzales was called up, but Gonzales is performing well so far (.824 OPS) and Triolo will need more of this if he’s going to stick around after Hayes returns. Triolo entered the day having gone hitless in his last four games and having collected only three extra-base hits in 161 plate appearances on the season. He’s at .201/.291/.257 overall.

We figured Triolo would prove to be a solid bat for the Pirates, but he’s come in at just .206/.293/.250 to date. Last year, he had 12 extra-base hits in 181 at-bats as a rookie. Right now, he has three in 120 at-bats. Nick Gonzales has been terrific in Triple-A, so maybe it’s time for the Pirates to try something different at second base.

It’ll be Jared Triolo taking over at third base in his absence on Tuesday evening. It doesn’t sound like a serious concern, but back issues can be complicated matters. Fantasy managers should consider Hayes day-to-day for now.

It appears to be a routine day off for Hayes, who has made eight consecutive starts at the hot corner to open the season. The 27-year-old is batting .324 (11-for-34) with six runs scored and five RBI, but has yet to record a homer or stolen base. It’ll be Jared Triolo filling in at the hot corner in his place.

Shelton left a little bit of wiggle room with his response, but it’s a near-lock that Triolo will open the year as Pittsburgh’s primary option at the keystone. The 26-year-old’s fantasy appeal is likely limited to NL-only formats for now.

There’s no real path for Peguero to regular at-bats with Oneil Cruz healthy to open the season. The decision to ship Peguero to the minors opens the door for Jared Triolo to open the season as Pittsburgh’s starting second baseman. It’s a bit surprising to see Hernandez jettisoned since he held his own as a Rule 5 pick last year, making 50 relief appearances for the Pirates.

Liover Peguero is supposed to be in the lead in the competition at second base in Pittsburgh, but Triolo has looked like the better option all along. He’s batting .379 this spring, and he’s also exceeded expectations defensively while seeing time at second, third and short. He’s not a potential mixed-league guy, but he could be an awfully solid NL-only contributor.

The Triolotrain keeps on moving as the 26-year-old is putting together his best effort to get playing time in Pittsburgh this season. Through six spring games, Triolo is 6-for-17 with a HR and four RBI. Only Henry Davis, Ke’Bryan Hayes and Gilberto Celestino have more RBI than Triolo this spring.

Triolo probably won’t have any fantasy value unless there is an injury to Ke’Bryan Haynes, but it’s a good sign that he’s putting together a solid spring. Triolo is 4-for-10 in four spring games and hit his first home run in camp in the second inning against Erasmo Ramírez on Friday. The way is performing at the plate, is giving him a legitimate shot to make the Opening Day roster.

Unless Hayes gets a pinch-hit appearance on Sunday will finish the season with a .273/.310/.455 with 15 homers and ten stolen bases across 525 plate appearances. The slick-fielding third baseman has shown an intriguing uptick in power, hitting ten jacks in the second half of the season. Jared Triolo will man the hot corner while batting second on Sunday.