As the Pittsburgh Pirates approach spring training, one of the most interesting battles for a starting job could involve a major international signing, a former first-round pick, the centerpiece of a trade for an All-Star and their top hitter among rookies last season.

Ji Hwan Bae, Nick Gonzales, Liover Peguero and Jared Triolo are contenders to start at second base, if the Pirates opt for in-house candidates instead of signing a free agent or trading for a veteran.

“I want to come out here and play,” Gonzales said. “All the guys on the team are my brothers, and I love all of them. You don’t think about it in that way. You just think about it as they’re there to make me better. I’m there to make them better and, at the end of the day, whoever’s there to start the season or whatever time in the season, is who deserves it.”

Bae, signed for $1.25 million out of South Korea in 2018, won the job last spring and had 17 doubles, two triples and a team-best 24 stolen bases. But Bae played almost as many games in center field (62) as he did at second base (64).

The Pirates drafted Gonzales with the No. 7 overall pick in 2020 out of New Mexico State, where he was considered college baseball’s best hitter. Gonzales batted only .209/.268/.348 in 35 games last season but showed his power with a pair of 400-foot homers to center.

What Gonzales noticed is how his plate mechanics slowly changed over the course of the season, leaving him hunched over more than normal. He wasn’t satisfied with his play, believing he has more to offer.

“I don’t think I ever pictured myself as getting there and then checking the box of, ‘OK, I did it. It’s over,’ ” Gonzales said. “That’s not really what I intend to do. I intend to be there for a long time and be an impact player. For me, a step in the right direction and also kind of showed me what I need to improve and work on, things I need to focus on in the offseason, things that I’m excited to see how things are going in spring and how that carries over into the season.”

Peguero, acquired from Arizona for All-Star outfielder Starling Marte in January 2020, showed the thunder in his bat by hitting 20 home runs across three levels. He had 11 at Double-A Altoona, two at Triple-A Indianapolis and seven in 59 games for the Pirates.

“I did know I had that in me,” Peguero said. “I’m a big believer that I am one of those (guys) that can hit 30.”

Triolo, who won a Gold Glove at third base in the minors, batted .298 with a .388 on-base percentage in 54 games and finished with a flourish by slashing .350/.458/.567 in September and October. He’s counting on that hot bat carrying over to this season.

“I think every offseason is like that, building off of how you ended the last season,” Triolo said. “For me, I ended up pretty good.”

The key to winning the starting position could be defense as the Pirates return NL Gold Glove winner Ke’Bryan Hayes at third base, and Oneil Cruz is expected to start at shortstop after a fractured left ankle caused him to miss all but nine games last year.

Triolo has the best glove but played only 13 games at second base last season. Pirates manager Derek Shelton loves Triolo’s versatility, which makes him an ideal candidate to be the utility infielder.

“It’s a little different,” Triolo said. “Most offseasons, it’s primary work at third base and then touching shortstop and the other positions, but now I feel like it’s a little more focused on the other positions while still also getting third base work in, too. …

“That was something I kind of picked up on during the season when they would throw me into those spots. A lot of it does translate. It’s just about anticipating where the ball’s going to be from a different viewpoint.”

Bae had seven errors and minus-6 defensive runs saved at second base, but his speed makes him an intriguing candidate in center. The Pirates were impressed by his fearlessness to make catches against the wall, and playing Bae in center would allow slugger Jack Suwinski to move to right.

Gonzales made the second-most starts at second base (25), just ahead of Peguero (23). Both can play shortstop, giving Cruz a day off when necessary. Being able to play on both sides of the bag is an advantage. Peguero has another in that he’s bilingual and can speak in Spanish with Cruz, a fellow Dominican.

“Absolutely. I feel like he’s going to be more free to tell me whatever so we can both be on the same page,” Peguero said of Cruz. “He was one of the people who was helping me, too. He had no idea on how to be a second baseman, but he was helping me out for some reason. I’m also very excited for him to be back, of course. I mean, it’s Oneil Cruz. Come on. I’m just really happy to be next to him and especially here in the bigs.”

Of course, the Pirates could add other players to the mix. Shortstop Alika Williams saw time at second base in college and the minors. Outfielder/first baseman Connor Joe worked there with bench coach Don Kelly by taking grounders during batting practice last season, in anticipation that he could be used there in a pinch-hitting situation.

The Pirates also signed veteran infielder Sergio Alcantara to a minor-league contract with a nonroster invitation to spring training. And there’s another month before spring training, if they want to sign or trade for another veteran infielder.

That doesn’t seem to faze their in-house candidates.

“That’s always been my mindset: compete and never stop,” Peguero said. “I’ve been working since Nov. 1. I feel like the grind’s been there, the work’s been there. Baseball has always been my competition thing and my love for the sport. I feel like the competition is always there, the same mindset.”

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