Teams will often try their best to keep something they are planning close to their chest, not giving their opponents an opportunity to adjust before hand.
Taking a look at how the Indianapolis lineup has been penciled in this week, whenever the Pirates look to the minors for some help, we may already be getting clued into what could come next.
We always knew that if Jared Triolo was going to find his way as a regular on the major league team, it was going to have to be at a different position than third base, that being manned already by Ke’Bryan Hayes.
So far this week, Triolo has started at shortstop, a position he has some, but not a lot, of experience with at the professional level.
A gold glove winner at third base in the minors, the defense isn’t necessarily guaranteed over to shortstop, but with the Pirates currently struggles at the position this season, at least defensively, it seems they are preparing to cross all avenues in the search for a short-term answer until Oneil Cruz can return later on.
After Cruz went out with his injury, Rodolfo Castro filled in as the next man up, but actually rated out as one of the worst at the position in the majors. Tucupita Marcano has been better, almost by default, but still has graded out negatively by almost all metrics.
He may not make the big play, but he’s made the ones he is supposed to make, which is a win on it’s own.
At the very least, Triolo provides a platoon partner for Marcano, who has struggled hitting left-handed pitching.
With a long history of hitting throughout each level he’s played at, it was only a matter of time before Triolo got his shot to make an impact on the major league roster. The Cruz injury could have opened the door for him to do it sooner, if he was not recovering from surgery himself.
Triolo won’t hit for a lot of power, but the Pirates could use some solid defense, and really just someone to get on base.
Daily Video Rundown
WARNING: Shack attack safety measures have been installed at Huntington Park. Pedestrians shall walk on West Nationwide Blvd. at their own risk. No liability accepted when Shack attacks. pic.twitter.com/GzxPiRo9Dp
— Indianapolis Indians (@indyindians) May 25, 2023
Not talked about too much, but Aaron Shackelford continues his really strong play in Indianapolis this season. This was the first of two home runs he hit on Thursday.
Chavez Young denies extra bases. ❌ pic.twitter.com/Uxj2J35TZ9
— Indianapolis Indians (@indyindians) May 25, 2023
Chavez Young comes up with a great leaping catch near the warning track to get the third out of the inning.
Baseballs do not like @masonmartin7, but we sure do! His eighth home run of the season gives us an 8-0 lead! pic.twitter.com/xUMcL8FEMk
— Altoona Curve (@AltoonaCurve) May 25, 2023
The Altoona Curve have scored 35 runs through the first three games of their series against Hartford. Mason Martin pitched into the run barrage, slugging his eighth home run of the season.
