![\"Jared](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Triolo-1120x630.jpg\")
Photo provided by Eddie Provident \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPhoto provided by Eddie Provident \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
When Jared Triolo won a Gold Glove as a utility player in 2024, he only played one inning of outfield \u2013 his first-career defensive appearance that wasn\u2019t in the infield dirt. <\/p>\n
Most of Triolo\u2019s time with the Pittsburgh Pirates has come at third base, though he\u2019s played all four infield spots. Just about anywhere he\u2019s been plugged, Triolo has provided quality defense.<\/p>\n
Now, the 28-year-old will look to impact another position.<\/p>\n
The Pirates started Triolo in right field in each of their final two games against the Philadelphia Phillies over the weekend. With a crowded infield consisting of Nick Gonzales at third, Konnor Griffin at short, Brandon Lowe at second and Spencer Horwitz at first, Triolo could continue to spend time patrolling the outfield grass.<\/p>\n
\u201c[Manager Don Kelly] gave me a little heads up and said, \u2018Be ready to go out there,\u2019\u201d Triolo said. \u201cSo, yeah, I felt like I was ready.\u201d<\/p>\n
Triolo has been doing what he can to get acclimated in the outfield since around the time Jake Mangum was placed on the injured list on May 8. Outside of the last two games he started in right field and the lone inning he played there in 2024, Triolo has played a total of eight games in the outfielder (seven in center, one in right) during his minor-league career.<\/p>\n
Triolo says he\u2019s worked with everybody who knows anything about playing the outfield. <\/p>\n
\u201cGetting out there for [batting practice] and getting reads off the bat,\u201d Triolo said of his preparation. \u201cI think that definitely\u00a0helps the most, so that\u2019s what I\u2019ve been prioritizing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Triolo was tested immediately during his first-career start in right field on Saturday. Phillies leadoff hitter Trea Turner hit a liner to right field on Bubba Chandler\u2019s first pitch of the game. Triolo came in and made a diving attempt, but the ball popped out of his glove after hitting the ground.<\/p>\n
In the second inning, Kyle Schwarber doubled into the right field corner. Triolo got to it quickly and fired it home, but his throw skipped away from relay man Brandon Lowe, which allowed another run to score on what was scored a throwing error.<\/p>\n
It was a tough error to be charged with, manager Don Kelly said after the game, but Triolo took the blame.<\/p>\n
\u201cSort-hopped him and that\u2019s kind of what happened,\u201d he explained. \u201cI kind of put him in a tough spot with his back to the play.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s no easy task to patrol right field at PNC Park. Not only does a player have to deal with a 21-foot high fence that causes odd bounces on balls in play, but there isn\u2019t much room in the right field corner.<\/p>\n
Triolo, though, is trying to keep things simple.<\/p>\n
\u201cI do feel pretty comfortable, he said. \u201cJust trying to play baseball out there. Ball goes up, try to catch it and throw to the right bases.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pirates coaches Tony Beasley and Tarrik Brock have been among those who are helping Triolo try and navigate the uniqueness of the position.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust kind of being aware of my surroundings and knowing what kind of kick you\u2019ll get off different parts of the wall,\u201d Triolo said when asked what he\u2019s worked on. \u201cRunning through some scenarios where we\u2019re going to throw the ball when you get it down the line or in the gap. That sort of stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n
Triolo, who says he has no preference on whether he plays right, left or center. Sunday\u2019s game might not have nee the last of him in the outfield, especially now that starting right fielder Ryan O\u2019Hearn<\/a> will be sidelined for a few weeks with a quad strain.<\/p>\n A utility player for his entire career, Triolo\u2019s versatility is growing even more. He now has use for an infield glove, an outfield glove and a first baseman\u2019s glove. All that\u2019s missing is a catcher\u2019s mitt, though Triolo says he\u2019s alright with not adding that one to his bag.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, we\u2019ll wait on that one,\u201d he said with a smile. \u201cWe\u2019ll be good on that.\u201d<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMentioned in this article: Jared Triolo<\/a> Pittsburgh Pirates<\/a> <\/p>\n