BRADENTON, Fla. – The Pittsburgh Pirates have had a revolving door at first base since trading Josh Bell to Washington in December 2020, a year after he was an All-Star who hit 37 home runs and had 116 RBIs.

The turnstile is at 23 players and counting now that the latest attempt of fill that void, Spencer Horwitz, is expected to miss most, if not all of spring training after having surgery on his right wrist.

The 27-year-old Horwitz was acquired from the Cleveland Guardians (via the Toronto Blue Jays) for starting pitcher Luis Ortiz and left-handed pitching prospects Josh Hartle and Michael Kennedy in December in an effort to solidify the position for years.

Now, the Pirates face a pressing question: Who’s on first?

Not only are the Pirates without a starting first baseman, they don’t have a viable backup on the 40-man roster. It’s reminiscent of the scene from the movie Moneyball, when Billy Beane visits Scott Hatteberg and tries to convince him that playing first base isn’t that hard.

Beane implores Ron Washington to back him up: Tell him Wash!

“It’s incredibly hard.”

That was used as a reference point when Pirates manager Derek Shelton was asked just how hard it is to play the corner infield position.

“I think if you go back to that scene and watch, he’s right,” Shelton said. “Everybody thinks, ‘Ah, you just stand at first and catch the ball.’ There are so many other factors to it, the glove work around the bag No. 1. That’s the most important thing.”

Shelton stopped to correct himself.

“Actually, the most important thing is the glove,” Shelton said. “There’s guys that have trouble with that glove. It’s a different glove than they’ve ever used before, how it feels. No. 2, it’s around the bag. The third thing is, you’re involved in a lot of different auxiliary plays that people don’t realize. You have to be in the cut in the right spot, you have to back up bases. And when you’re naturally not a first baseman, you have the tendency to stand, watch and realize, ‘Oh, where am I supposed to be?’ It’s why it’s so impressive, what (Jared Triolo) did last year, because of the fact that he understands it. But even for middle infielders, it’s kind of hard to realize that you can’t just watch the play.”

With the first full-squad workout on Monday at Pirate City, the Pirates will rotate players through first base in an attempt to find someone suitable until Horwitz is ready to return to game action. Shelton called the competition, which he expects to last until the final week of spring training games, “the first of what will be many opportunities for us.”

TribLive Pirates writer Kevin Gorman offers a look at some candidates:

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Chaz Palla | TribLive
Pirates first baseman Jared Triolo Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 at Pirates City Bradenton Fl.

The favorite: Jared Triolo

Triolo won the starting job at second base in spring training last year, so he’s proven that he can rise to a challenge. He filled in at third base when Ke’Bryan Hayes was on the injured list and also played shortstop, right field and four games at first base.

His defensive versatility was rewarded when Triolo won the National League Gold Glove Award as a utility player. But he’s played only 12 games (10 starts) at first base in the majors, batting .278/.381/.417 with two doubles, one home run and two RBIs.

“You can learn where you need to be in practice and simulated games,” Triolo said, “but once you’re in a game, that’s when you have to be in the spot, you have to get the feel for where you need to be and fielding ground balls at the pace of different positions. It’s good to be over there.”

Triolo brought four gloves to spring training, anticipating that he would move all over the infield and, possibly, the outfield. The signing of Adam Frazier, expected to be a utility player, could allow Triolo to spend more time at first base in camp and the early season.

“I wouldn’t say it’s an edge,” Triolo said. “Every year is a different season. It’s kind of a clean slate. I take my experiences that I got last year at those spots and hope that it will help me going forward.”

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Chaz Palla | TribLive
Pirates first baseman Darick Hall during practice Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025 at Pirates City Bradenton Fl.

The darkhorse: Darick Hall

A non-roster invitee, the 6-foot-4, 232-pound Hall has an advantage in that he has the most experience at first base, both in the majors (23 games, 18 starts) and the minors (737 games, 729 starts).

“There’s definitely a comfort level there,” said Hall, who bats left but throws right. “One of my strengths, I’ve always felt like I’ve made good plays. I’ve been able to pick infielders up. A big part of the infield success is the first baseman, how comfortable they are to make good plays and not feel like they have to be perfect (on throws). I take that upon myself and try to pick the ball the best I can and put in work around the bag, to have good footwork, to be able to move and tag. I think that frees up space in the infield.”

Hall, 29, has 160 home runs in eight seasons in the minors, including 28 at Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2022. He batted .226 with a .700 OPS, nine doubles, 10 home runs and 19 RBIs in 59 games with the Philadelphia Phillies over the ’22-23 seasons but had a 32.2% strikeout rate.

“He’s definitely going to be in the competition,” Shelton said. “Big-body guy who has the ability to have good at-bats, has the ability to hit the ball out of the ballpark and has played in the big leagues before. I think we knew when we acquired him on an NRI that we like the bat. We have seen him hit. He drives the ball. He’s going to get a good look during spring training.”

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Chaz Palla | TribLive
Pirates first baseman Matt Gorski during practice Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 at Pirates City Bradenton Fl.

The underdog: Matt Gorski

A 2019 second-round pick as an outfielder, Gorski was a top-20 prospect two years ago but hasn’t risen above Triple-A Indianapolis. He played primarily first base as a freshman at Indiana and 48 games there last season, so there’s a comfort level at the position.

The 27-year-old Gorski has power, hitting 87 homers in four seasons in the minors. He batted .257/.319/.522 with 23 homers and 67 RBIs last season at Indy but struck out at a 31.9% rate.

“He had a good year last year,” Shelton said. “He has the ability to drive the ball and has the ability to hit the ball out of the ballpark. He’s done a good job defensively wherever he’s played.”

Gorski can play all three outfield spots – his preference is center – but knows that first base might be his best bet of making the majors at the moment. And he’s is in the final year of his minor league contract, so Gorski understands that this could be a golden opportunity.

“I feel it’s not sink-or-swim at this point but I’m ready for it,” Gorski said. “I’d like to get my opportunity. You also know that they’re going to do what’s best for them. … A lot of things can happen. It’s an opportunity. You don’t ever want anyone to get hurt or for those things to happen but when it presents itself, you need to take advantage.”

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Chaz Palla | TribLive
Pirates first baseman Malcom Nunez Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025 at Pirates City Bradenton Fl.

The prospect: Malcom Nunez

There is a dearth of first base prospects in the Pirates’ organization, which is why they had high hopes for Nunez upon acquiring him from the St. Louis Cardinals in 2022.

Nunez was ranked their No. 16 prospect by MLB Pipeline but reported to spring training overweight in 2023, then was sidetracked by a right shoulder impingement and played only 78 games across four levels.

Last season, he played more than twice as many games at third base (87 games) than he did at first (40), and batted .250/.310/.365 with 21 doubles, 11 homers and 65 RBIs.

Nunez, who turns 24 on March 9, is heavier than his listed 5-foot-11, 205 pounds but reported to camp looking leaner than years past.

“He looks good,” Shelton said. “He played some third base last year for us in Indy and moved around, but he looks like he’s in good shape, so it’s encouraging to see.”

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Chaz Palla | TribLive
Pirates Jack Suwinski and Jared Triolo lead warm ups as spring training opens Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 at Pirates City Bradenton Fl.

The surprise: Jack Suwinski

The Pirates haven’t approached Suwinski about a position switch, though he seems open to the idea after losing his starting spot in the outfield last season and spending the final two months in the minors.

Suwinski played first base his first two years of high school before switching to the outfield. He hasn’t played the infield since his junior year. But he’s 6-2, 215 and a lefty, so it could be a natural move.

“I think it’s a quality position and skill to learn,” Suwinski said. “It only adds versatility. Obviously, the more you can do, the more valuable you become. It opens doors, creates opportunities.”

Given his 26-homer, 74-RBI season in 2023, Suwinski would be the most accomplished hitter at the major league level of the first base candidates. But he’s a streaky hitter who has a career .207 batting average, and hit .182 with eight doubles, nine homers and 26 RBIs in 88 games with the Pirates last year before being demoted.

Although Suwinski didn’t take any grounders or do bag work at first base this past week, Shelton didn’t rule out the possibility that Suwinski could get a look there this spring.

After all, the Pirates have tried everyone from third baseman Colin Moran to middle infielders Erik Gonzalez, Luis Castillo and Michael Chavis to outfielders Ben Gamel and Connor Joe at first base.

“I think at some point, he’s left-handed and has the ability … he’s a guy at some point we could consider there,” Shelton said of Suwinski. “We have a lot of options on the table. Once we get into full camp and have the ability to have work days, then we’ll make that decision.”