Jared Triolo remembers the feeling of trying out a new position in the Minors. He had primarily been a third baseman in his first years of pro ball -- and a quite good one defensively, winning a Minor League Gold Glove in 2021 -- but the Pirates wanted to see if he could excel at other positions as well. Versatility is a great selling point for a young player, after all.

The experiment started to pick up in 2022, giving him more reps at shortstop and starting in center field. Second and first base would follow. As Triolo was learning these new positions, he felt comfortable, or at least more comfortable than he felt his teammates were at their new spots.

“Just realizing I was pretty good at playing different positions, I think that was a big confidence [boost] for me,” Triolo said over Zoom Monday.

On Sunday, Triolo’s versatility was rewarded. The Pirate infielder was named the winner of the Rawlings Gold Glove Award for National League utilitymen, edging out Kiké Hernández of the Dodgers and Brendan Donovan of the Cardinals. It is Triolo’s first Gold Glove.

• Most Gold Glove Awards at each position

Triolo eyed a Gold Glove as a goal for himself in his first full Major League season, especially after breaking camp as the team’s everyday second baseman. While he played well in the field, he struggled offensively early and lost the job to Nick Gonzales. Triolo stayed in the Majors and moved into a utility role for most of the season before taking over at third base for Ke’Bryan Hayes once he hit the injured list.

Even as he bounced around second, third, shortstop, first base and a cameo in the outfield, Triolo provided consistent defensive results, resulting in seven defensive runs saved.

“Originally I think when I learned I was going to play second base, second base was the goal I had,” Triolo said. “I think a utility Gold Glove is all the more special."

A lot of Triolo’s defensive value comes from his consistency. Among National League infielders with at least 300 innings played, Triolo’s .995 fielding percentage as a second baseman was tied for the best in the League, and his .985 fielding percentage as a third baseman was tops in the Senior Circuit. He also had his share of flashy plays, with his best arguably being a diving grab in right field on a Jake McCarthy bloop to send the Pirates and Diamondbacks into extra innings. It was Triolo’s first inning at the position as a professional.

Triolo credits that confidence and comfortability to bounce around to the coaching staff and the extra work they put in with him.

“I'm a guy who likes to take a lot of ground balls and feel comfortable, and that's just the way I feel comfortable is getting a bunch of reps,” Triolo said. “I mean, DK [bench coach Don Kelly] was out there every single day with me. [Infield coach] Mendy López. [Major League assistant] Alex Jimenez. I mean, there's just guys -- even on day games too, at the end of the season, when I'm trying to switch over to third base or second base or whatever, doubling up my work. There's a lot of guys to thank for that."

Triolo now joins a growing group of Pirate infielders with a Gold Glove on their resume. Hayes won one at third base in 2023, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa won one in '20. Assuming Hayes’ rehab for his back injury goes well this winter, it’s quite possible the Pirates could boast one of the best infield defenses in the game in '25.

“Look around the infield and there's a lot of super talented players,” Triolo said. “I mean, IKF and myself, we can play a magnitude of positions. So yeah, I think defense next year will definitely be a key piece of us moving forward."

The question is where does Triolo fit into those infield plans? He’s shown the value his glove can bring, and if he’s asked to bounce around again, he’s prepared to do it.

“I think my biggest asset right now is playing a bunch of positions and being ready to take on whatever position they put me at,” Triolo said. “So I haven't really thought too much about a position for next season. Obviously, I'm gonna get my work everywhere and just kind of see where the cards get dealt. And, hopefully it's not with a catcher's glove."