Evaluating Pirates Battle at Second Base

Over the last few years, the Pirates have built up a group of good second base prospects. These prospects have been in the organization for multiple years and are finally major league-ready. This year's Spring Training, in Bradenton, features a battle for the second base spot, on the Pirates roster. Let’s take a look at who is competing for a major league roster spot.

Liover Peguero

Liover Peguero was one of the first acquisitions for Ben Cherington since joining the Pirates as he was a part of the Starling Marte trade. Since being acquired in 2019, Peguero has been a top prospect in the Pirates organization. Last year, Peguero got his first real taste of Major League Baseball after being called up in July.

In his rookie season, Peguero had a batting average of .237 with seven home runs and 26 runs batted in. He also had an OPS of .654, which included a .280 on-base percentage and a .374 slugging percentage. His wRC+ was low at 74.

So far in Spring Training, Peguero has a batting average of .429 with a home run and three runs batted in. He also has a 1.214 OPS, which includes a .500 on-base percentage and a .714 slugging percentage. His wRC+ is also great at 233.

Although it is a small sample size, Liover Peguero is off to a great start this spring, which is big for his development as a player.

Jared Triolo

Jared Triolo has been in the Pirates organization for many years and finally made his Major League debut last year. Triolo impressed a lot of people last season with a strong rookie season. Throughout his minor league career, Triolo has always had a plus glove and makes great contact with the ball. His strong glove allows him to play multiple positions, but the only spot open for a new starter is second base.

In his rookie season, Triolo had a batting average of .298 with three home runs and 21 runs batted in. He also had an OPS of .786, which includes a .388 on-base percentage and a .398 slugging percentage. He also had a solid wRC+ of 118 and a 1.7 WAR.

So far this Spring Training, Triolo has a batting average of.350 with a home run and four runs batted in. He also has an OPS of .931, which includes an on-base percentage of .381 and a slugging percentage of .550. He also has a wRC+ of 148.

Jared Triolo appears to be on pace for another strong season like his rookie year. If his bat continues to get hits, then the Pirates will easily have their starter.

Nick Gonzales

Nick Gonzales was the seventh overall pick in the 2020 Major League Draft. The middle infield prospect from New Mexico State was consistently a top prospect for the Pirates for multiple years. Despite being a great hitter throughout the minor leagues, Gonzales struggled in his first season with Pittsburgh.

In his rookie season, Gonzales posted a batting average of .209 with two home runs and 13 runs batted in. He also had an OPS of .616, which included an on-base percentage of .268 and a slugging percentage of .348. His wRC+ was low at 64 and his WAR was negative at -0.1.

So far this spring, Gonzales has a batting average of .263 with no home runs and no runs batted in. He also has an OPS of .684, which includes an on-base percentage of .263 and a slugging percentage of .421. His wRC+ is low at 76.

Gonzales has struggled with the Pirates, but still has a lot of potential. I see him starting the year in AAA, but if his bat gets hot in the remaining games this spring, then he could potentially begin the year in Pittsburgh.

Overall, the Pirates have a strong core of young second baseman. Three second year players are battling this spring for the starting spot in Pittsburgh. In my opinion, I would like to see Jared Triolo get the spot with his great glove and solid bat. Don’t quit paying attention to this battle for the rest of Spring Training.