The Pittsburgh Pirates have completely transformed their lineup for the 2026 season, but there is still a debate as to who should be playing third base for the club between Jared Triolo and Nick Gonzales. While neither one of these players will likely be long term answers to fill this vacancy, the Pirates should prioritize playing Gonzales over Triolo.
The way that the roster is currently constructed there is an emphasis on having a strong offense to support a stellar pitching staff. To build this lineup the Pirates did take some liberties with sacrificing overall team defense to compensate for what was the worst offense in baseball a year ago. With that in mind it’s clear that Gonzales has more of a roll on a team that is willing to sacrifice some defense with the goal of scoring more runs and being able to frustrate opposing pitchers from top to bottom in a lineup.
Over the last couple of seasons, there has been few utility defenders as versatile as Triolo. He was the first utility man recipient of the Gold Glove Award in 2024 and can play nearly anywhere in the field. With the departure of fellow Gold Glover Ke’Bryan Hayes, Triolo was the incumbent at the hot corner. Triolo also regularly played at third when Hayes was injured or out of the lineup, so there is definitely a case to be made for him to be the Pirates’ regular third baseman.
Even with his credentials however, the positives do not outweigh the negatives in the case of Triolo. The 28-year-old Houston alum is absolutely the best defender on Pittsburgh’s roster, but offensively, he is mostly dead weight in the team’s lineup. His power is inconsistent and he doesn’t get on base at a very high rate. Before he was placed on the ten-day IL Triolo had a batting average of .217 and is only a career .236 hitter. He has just one extra base hit in 2026 and just one RBI.
Gonzales on the other hand would not be considered an elite defender. While capable he certainly does not have the range and versatility that Triolo has. However, Gonzales has gotten off to a red hot start this year at the plate. In nine games the New Mexico State product is slashing .297/.350/.351 with a .701 OPS, 11 hits and seven RBIs. Gonzales has the third most RBIs on the team and this season seems to always find a way to deliver a clutch base hit when the Pirates absolutely need a spark. In Pittsburgh’s most recent contest against San Diego Gonzales deliver with a bases loaded two-run single in the eighth inning to stretch the Pirates’ lead and ignited a five run inning for the Buccos. He’s far from an offensive superstar, but he does find a way to clutch up with consistent contact.
While neither of these players are consistent power threats the consistency that Gonzales has over Triolo for pure contact is still very valuable to this lineup. It was only six years ago when Gonzales was one of the best hitters in college baseball, and now really seems to be coming into his own at the major league level. He fits in perfectly between power threats like Oneil Cruz and Brandon Lowe as more of a small ball type of player who can consistently get on base and keep runners moving on the base pads.
To reiterate, neither one of these players are likely long term answers to be Pittsburgh’s every day third baseman, but for the time being Gonzales and his play style are more complimentary to the Pirates’ lineup than Triolo.
What do yinz think? Who would you want to see be the Pirates’ third baseman? Let us know in the comments!
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