Have the Pirates had their solution for shortstop all along?
The Pittsburgh Pirates season is at this point all but over, as they are dead last in the NL Central, and currently sit 19.5 games back from the top spot. Not to mention they also just dropped a three-game series against the worst team in baseball, the Colorado Rockies, and were on the receiving end of one of the biggest comebacks in sports history. That being said, this is the time of the year to analyze players on the roster and what their role might look like for next season. Right now there is no hotter ballplayer in Pittsburgh than Liover Peguero.
Peguero started the season with Triple-A Indianapolis, before having a brief stint in Pittsburgh during the month of May. Following the early-year series against the Atlanta Braves, Peguero would find himself back in Indy before being recalled on July 18. Since then, Peguero has performed beyond expectations, getting valuable time in the lineup with the departure of Ke’Bryan Hayes.
The question on everyone’s mind though is what does the team do with Peguero moving forward?
Liover Peguero hit 3 home runs and drove in all 5 runs today, so at least there’s that
In his 29 MLB AB this year, he’s slashing .310/.355/.759 for an OPS of 1.114 pic.twitter.com/qlQXu7CoOT
— Platinum Key (@PlatinumKey13) August 2, 2025
I want to point out that he has had at least one hit in all but two of his appearances since being promoted on July 18. He showed up and had a great series against the San Francisco Giants, grabbing his first homer with the of the year with Pirates in game two of that West-Coast clash. Then in Colorado he had a monstrous performance in game two of that series, as he had three hits for three home-runs and five RBIs on the day, and was responsible for all five runs scored that day.
Now Colorado does have the highest park-factor of any Major League stadium and is a natural hitters paradise, but Oracle Park in San Francisco is bottom five for lowest park-factor, so in this limited sample size we have both ends of the spectrum. In his stint back with the Pirates Peguero has also played multiple positions in the field, something that he’s become known for and has made him a valuable prospect over the past couple of years so that’s always a plus.
Nick Gonzales seems to be coming into his own at second base, and another full season without injury would do him some good. Spencer Horwitz has been fitting in nicely as the Pirates’ first baseman, and having a full season of him on the team will say a lot as well. At short and at third, there are two big question marks. Isiah Kiner-Falefa will be a free-agent in 2026, and Jared Triolo, while a capable defender, is a huge offensive liability. Peguero does happen to play shortstop very well, is a younger option than IKF, and has a higher ceiling at this point in his career. Though he doesn’t play third, he’s still a more capable hitter than Triolo.
“He brings positivity, has good vibes, keeps things light. … He keeps things positive and fun. He’s a good guy, man.”
Andrew McCutchen talks with @MearsHannah_ about Liover Peguero’s first career multi-HR game and their close bond pic.twitter.com/5EcqL8lu6O
— SportsNet Pittsburgh (@SNPittsburgh) August 3, 2025
Peguero was the MVP of the Indianapolis Indians just a season ago and has made huge strides since playing in the pioneer league with the Missoula Ospreys (now the Paddleheads) and seems to take a good step in his development every single year. The remainder of the season could be a huge indication if Peguero can be the everyday shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates moving forward.