MLB’s top prospect, Konnor Griffin, made his professional debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 5-4 win against the Baltimore Orioles on April 3.
The 19-year-old shortstop was extremely solid in first outing in the big leagues. He was the ninth overall pick of the 2024 MLB Draft, selected by the Pirates.
Griffin got the call up to the majors for “baseball reasons” and because he’s the Pirates’ “best option,” according to baseball insider Jason Mackey.
In his first at-bat, which came in the second inning of the game, Griffin hit an RBI double into the pocket of center field as Ryan O’Hearn scored to give the Pirates a 1-0 lead.
Griffin told reporters before the game that he felt ready for the moment.
“It’s been unbelievable. You know, the drive from Columbus to here, just two hours of just kind of reflecting on the whole journey so far. I was sitting here about a year and a half ago, two years after I got drafted, and was talking about how cool it would be to play on this field and how now I get to do it, so I’m super excited,” Griffin said. “(Triple-A coach) Eric Patterson, he called me to his hotel room about 8:30 in the morning and said, ‘hey, we’re gonna send you out to Pittsburgh go, kill it. I know you’re ready. Just go. Keep being you.’ So it was a special moment.”
His hit was the momentum swing the Pirates were looking for as they ran off three more runs to extend the lead to 4-0 in the second inning. Jared Triolo singled to right, allowing Griffin to make it home for his first run.
The Pirates stacked the bases and got more runs. Henry Davis hit a double that went out to left field, giving Triolo the chance to score. Up next, Oneil Cruz. He singled to left and Davis scored.
As for the rest of the rookie’s game, Griffin’s next at-bat didn’t come until the fourth inning; he walked.
Griffin finished the game batting 1-for-3 with a run and RBI. He struck out swinging in the fifth inning and ground out in the eighth inning.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Konnor Griffin stats from MLB debut, highlights
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