When the Pittsburgh Pirates promoted 19-year-old shortstop Konnor Griffin to the major leagues, it appeared the left side of their infield would be settled with Jared Triolo shifting to third base.
That proved short-lived, as Triolo injured the patellar tendon in his right knee in the home opener and will be out for weeks while recovering. The solution to the hot corner is a pair of converted second basemen who had played a combined four games at the position prior to this season.
It’s not an ideal situation for the Pirates, who didn’t address the position in the offseason after trading two-time Gold Glove winner Ke’Bryan Hayes to the Cincinnati Reds last July. But it’s a challenge Nick Gonzales and Nick Yorke are ready to accept, even if both are novices at third base.
“It’s a good opportunity for me,” said Gonzales, who has started six games at third base. “I was playing there before Jared was hurt and before Konnor was here, so it’s the same thought process as before any of that happened.”
Both Gonzales and Yorke are working with Pirates infield coach Chris Truby on polishing the finer points of the position. They also are taking advice from Triolo, a 2024 National League Gold Glove utility fielder and 2025 finalist who started five of the first six games at shortstop.
“All through spring training and even here on early in the season, they’re working hard to play third,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said. “I mean, it’s not an easy position to take on. I think they’ve done a really good job of it.”
For Gonzales, who started 193 games at second base over the past three seasons, the biggest adjustment is discovering the differences in timing. Truby has emphasized possession to Gonzales and Yorke, focusing on fielding the ball first and then making a clean throw across the diamond.
“You’re on the left side of the infield at third, but you have more time than you think,” Gonzales said. “Playing short, you’re always attacking the ball, going forward, playing downhill. At third, it’s a little different. You read the hop and adjust. That’s something we’ve been working on in early work with Truby, so I think we’re in a good spot.”
For Yorke, who also has played first base and both corner outfield spots, it’s more about adjusting to the quickness of playing third base. He learned the difference in spring training, fielding a ball on the run and skipping a throw to first base that Spencer Horwitz made a “nasty” pick.
“You’re getting a hot shot at 115 mph sometimes,” Yorke said. “It’s a little different than when you have some space and distance from the ball at second base. It’s different angles from third base to second base, different spin and stuff like that, so I’m going out and continuing to get as many reps as I can there.”
What Gonzales and Yorke lack in experience defensively at third base the Pirates are hoping they can make up for with their bats. Gonzales is batting .313 with two doubles, five RBIs and four runs scored in eight games, while Yorke is hitting .286 with two RBIs in six games and delivered a double to drive in the game-winning run in the ninth inning of the 3-2 walk-off win over the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday.
“That’s a good sign for the team and just trying to keep pushing that and see what happens,” Gonzales said. “That’s important for me to be out there and doing everything I can.”