For some, it’s showing they belong in the major leagues. For others, it’s putting together their first complete season. For a few, it’s adjusting into a role. And of course for one specific player, it’s remaining healthy from start to finish.
From unproven rookies to multi-year veterans, each member of the Pirates’ infield, in his own way, has something to prove heading into the 2025 season. No area of the roster looks more different compared to this time last year. A combination of trades and free agent signings led to the creation of what the Pirates believe to be an upgraded unit. And now, with spring training approaching, the players are looking to reward the front office’s faith.
“I think we can do a lot,” Nick Gonzales told reporters last month at PiratesFest. “We can improve in a lot of areas. More experience and another year under our belt is going to help a lot. I’ve got nothing but great things to say about those guys in the clubhouse. I know they’re doing what they need to do all offseason and spring.”
Gonzales marks perhaps the most stable part of the Pirates’ infield equation, returning to his everyday starting role at second base. To his left will be newcomer Spencer Horwitz, a left-handed hitting utility man in the Blue Jays’ organization that will now get his first true chance to be an everyday player. To Gonzales’ right will be Isiah Kiner-Falefa, the most notable player Pittsburgh acquired during last year’s trade deadline, who projects to be the club’s everyday shortstop, a role he hasn’t held since his time with the Yankees in 2022.
“We feel very confident that he stabilizes the position and has played that position really well in the past,” general manager Ben Cherington said of Kiner-Falefa this offseason. “Certainly longer term, it’s still something we need to solve. But for 2025, we feel like he puts us in a strong spot.”
Both Horwitz and Kiner-Falefa were acquired over the past year to add further depth to a unit that has remained a work in progress throughout the Cherington era. The two have the potential to upgrade areas of need — infield defense, team on-base percentage — but their contributions alone will not be enough.
As many fans know, the key talking point when reviewing the Pirates infield once again revolves around third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes. When healthy, Hayes is a difference maker, both at the plate and in the field. But recurring back issues have prevented the Gold Glove winner from having the career many envisioned he was capable of up to this point.
A healthy Hayes would provide a notable boost to the Pirates’ lineup. Another year of back issues would instead put additional pressure on utility man Jared Triolo to take a bigger step forward at the plate.
Triolo, last year’s National League Gold Glove winner for the utility position, headlines a large group of reserve infielders who have a chance to work their way into an everyday role, should the projected starters not perform. Rookies Nick Yorke and Billy Cook made noise at the plate in Triple-A after being acquired at the deadline, leading both to earn a big league call-up in September. Both enter 2025 once again toeing the line between the majors and Triple-A.
Veteran utility man Adam Frazier, who was brought back to Pittsburgh on a one-year deal, boasts the potential to play nearly anywhere on the diamond, as does Enmanuel Valdez, who was acquired via a trade with the Red Sox in December. Liover Peguero will provide additional depth, primarily as the second option at shortstop, should Kiner-Falefa be unable to handle the position on an everyday basis.
Projected starters
Spencer Horwitz: First baseman acquired from Cleveland in December in exchange for right-hander Luis Ortiz and pitching prospects Michael Kennedy and Josh Hartle. He’s 27-year-old left-handed bat that boasts limited power but has potential to lead the club in on-base percentage.
Nick Gonzales: Established himself as the everyday starter last season, hitting .270 with seven homers and a 96 OPS+ over 94 games. Looking to build both at the plate and in the field in his first full big-league season.
Ke’Bryan Hayes: Gold Glove-winning third baseman whose 2024 season was derailed by injuries. Still viewed as a key piece of the franchise despite continued health and offensive inconsistencies.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa: Acquired from Toronto at last year’s trade deadline for infield prospect Charles McAdoo. Established utility man that has won a Gold Glove at third base. Slated to be an everyday shortstop for the first time since 2022.
Departures
Rowdy Tellez: Primary first baseman in 2024. Struggled offensively in the first two months of the season, recovered well in June, July and August only to cool off in September, leading to his designation for assignment in the final week of the season.
Connor Joe: Right-handed platoon bat for the past two seasons who also saw notable time in right field. Was team’s top hitter in April but drastically regressed as season continued. Was non-tendered in November.
Newcomers
Adam Frazier: Returned to the Pirates on a one-year deal worth $1.525 million. Has experience throughout the infield but is most comfortable at second base, along with corner outfield spots.
Darick Hall: A 29-year-old left-handed bat who earned a non-roster invite. Former first baseman in the Phillies organization. Tallied 16 homers and 72 RBIs last season in Triple-A. Has played in 59 career MLB games.
Spencer Horwitz: Star pupil of new hitting coach Matt Hague, having worked with him throughout his development in Toronto’s minor league system. Club hopes he can be the long-term answer at first base. Can also play second base and right field.
Enmanuel Valdez: Acquired from Boston in December in exchange for pitching prospect Joe Vogatsky. A 25-year-old utility man who bats from the left side. Has played in 125 major league games, all for the Red Sox. Was Boston’s No. 18 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, when he made his big-league debut in 2023.
Top position battle: Reserve infielder
With all four starting spots seemingly solidified, along with Jared Triolo locked into a super-utility role, the biggest battle will likely be for the second and final reserve infielder job. Should the club view Frazier as a primary infielder — perhaps a platoon partner with Gonzales at second base — then the spot is his to lose. However, if the Pirates intend to play Frazier more in the outfield, they could add another reserve infielder to their opening day roster. Liover Peguero, Nick Yorke, Billy Cook and Enmanuel Valdez are all candidates to earn the spot.
Player to watch: Spencer Horwitz
Despite having only logged 112 games in the major leagues, the Pirates thought highly enough of Horwitz to trade away their third-most valuable pitcher in 2024, who boasted multiple years of remaining control, along with a pair of prospects. First base has been a revolving door in Pittsburgh, especially during the Ben Cherington/Derek Shelton era. At 27-years-old, Horwitz finally has his opportunity to prove he is a capable everyday player at the game’s highest level.
Prospect to watch: Termarr Johnson
Rated the No. 83 prospect in baseball per MLB Pipeline, Johnson took another step forward in his minor league journey in 2024, earning a promotion to Double-A Altoona in the final month of the season. At just 20 years old, the fourth-overall pick in the 2022 draft still has plenty of time to develop. But entering his third full season as a pro, more attention will be on the young second baseman this spring to see if he can display the signs of being a potential difference-maker in the near future.
First Published: February 6, 2025, 10:30 a.m.
Updated: February 6, 2025, 3:35 p.m.
