Abbott and Costello famously asked, “Who’s on first?” Today we ask, who’s on second for the 2024 Pittsburgh Pirates?
Second base is one of several positions for which Pirates players will be fighting in spring training. It may be the most interesting of such competitions, given the varying skills and pedigrees the contestants offer.
Who’s On Second for the 2024 Pirates?
In 2023, eight different players started at second base for the Pirates. Four of them are no longer in the Pirates organization. The four who remain will be competing for the starting second base position this spring. There appears to be no clear favorite at this point. There may not even be a regular at second base, either, as manager Derek Shelton has shown a proclivity for changing lineups almost daily based on analytics. However, given that the Pirates are serious about contending this season, it may be time to trot out a more consistent lineup on an everyday basis.
There have also been rumors that the Pirates may be interested in a reunion with their former All-Star Adam Frazier, who they traded in 2021 and is now a free agent. Jonathan India is also rumored to be available. With general manager Ben Cherington having promised an increased payroll and a “different kind” of trade than Pirates fans have grown accustomed to, the notion of an India trade may not be that far-fetched. Nevertheless, with no action on these fronts, it appears that the answer to who’s on second for the Pirates will come internally, with trade capital being used for another starting pitcher. Let’s take a look, then, at the four internal candidates.
Ji Hwan Bae
One of the fastest players in the majors, Ji Hwan Bae, 24, was the Pirates’ Opening Day second baseman in 2023. However, as it turned out, that meant very little. He started in center field in the following game, as it became clear that Shelton valued his versatility. Bae stole 24 bases but was not much of a threat with the bat. In the minors, Bae never had an OBP under .360. Those on-base skills have yet to translate in the majors, as evidenced by last year’s slash line of .231/.296/.311.
Bae also saw action at shortstop when Oneil Cruz went down for the season. Often, regular center fielder Jack Suwinski, a left-handed hitter like Bae, sat against left-handed pitching. Bae would replace Suwinski in this lineup, creating an odd situation where Bae was being reverse platooned. Oddly, Bae was better against left-handed pitchers, hitting them at a .269/.306/.298 clip.
Despite his speed, Bae was “worth” negative seven Fielding Runs Above Average and negative six Defensive Runs Saved at second. Bae graded out better in center field, where he was worth eight Fielding Runs Above Average and made several highlight-reel plays. The bet here is that he remains a versatility option in 2024. The fact that he is the best center fielder on the club may well be the only reason he goes north with the team.
Nick Gonzales
The 24-year-old, who was the Pirates’ number-one pick in the 2020 June Amateur Draft, is somebody for whom the team has high hopes. Nick Gonzales has hit well in the minors, with a .284/.382/.506 slash line to go with 39 home runs and 140 RBI over three seasons. However, in two stints and 35 games with the Pirates in 2023, he hit just .209/.268/.348.
Gonzales strikes out at an alarming rate (32.2 percent of his minor league at-bats and 36 times in 115 major league at-bats). Even so, production similar to his minor league record might be enough to win a starting job for the Pirates. His defensive play at second base has been adequate enough that there would be no concerns there. He has all the attributes to be the answer to who’s on second for the Pirates.
Then again, in a system loaded with middle infielders, Gonzales is the most attractive trade chip of this group. He could be added to sweeten the package for another starting pitcher in a “different kind” of trade. With the Pirates’ top prospect, 2022 number one draft choice Termarr Johnson, also being a second baseman, this isn’t out of the question.
Liover Peguero and Nick Gonzales are good friends … and part of the Pirates’ ongoing competition at second base https://t.co/fm2b5oY7Rl
— Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (@PittsburghPG) January 10, 2024
Liover Peguero
Liover Peguero, 23, was acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for Starling Marte in 2020, in Cherington’s first trade as Pirates general manager. Peguero had been primarily a shortstop in the minor leagues. But who’s at shortstop? With Cruz anchored there and said to be resistant to a move to the outfield, Peguero’s shot at regular action will have to come at second base, despite being a better fielder than Cruz.
In 59 games with the Pirates last year, Peguero hit .237/.280/.374, showing surprising power with seven homers. While those numbers don’t suggest the second coming of Nap Lajoie, Peguero never looked overmatched. He was hitting .274 as late as September 3 before a late-season slump. A September slump isn’t unusual for a player more accustomed to the shorter minor league season.
Like Gonzales, he should be a strong candidate to win the second base job in spring training. If not, his superior play at shortstop could keep him on the squad for those times when Cruz is rested. On the other hand, Alika Williams, who impressed with his shortstop play if not his bat last season, could stick with the big club if it’s decided Peguero needs more work at Triple-A, where he has yet to spend a full season.
Jared Triolo
Now we get to the most interesting case of all. Jared Triolo, 25, would be the clear winner based on merit. In 54 games with the Pirates last season, like Peguero he looked unfazed from the start. And, unlike Peguero, he had no late-season slump, hitting .298/.388/.398 during his stay. His defense was plenty good enough, too. Appearing at every infield position except shortstop, he was worth nine Fielding Runs Above Average and five Defensive Runs Saved.
Aye, therein lies the rub, to quote a great playwright. Triolo is so good at so many positions, that the Pirates perceive him as more of a Swiss Army knife than a regular. His primary position in the minors was third base. But who’s on third? With Ke’Bryan Hayes firmly entrenched there under a long-term contract, Triolo was soon groomed as a utility player and so labeled. Labels can be hard to shake in baseball. He likely needs a strong spring performance that far exceeds those of the other candidates to become the answer to “Who’s on second?” for the 2024 Pirates.
Photo Credit: “Jared Triolo” by docjeffhyde is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
