‘It Was Everything I Dreamed of,’ Pirates’ Konnor Griffin Has Debut to Remember
PITTSBURGH — As is usually the case for home openers, the buzz was palpable for the Pittsburgh Pirates first game at PNC Park this season against the Baltimore Orioles on Friday evening.
Part of the reason there was extra excitement at the ballpark was because the team is playing well to start the year and has the look of a team potentially poised to be contenders for the first time in a long time.
But perhaps an even bigger reason for all the enthusiasm was Friday marked the MLB debut of top prospect Konnor Griffin, who was called up from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.
Griffin put his stamp on the game early and helped the Pirates earn a 5-4 win in front of a sellout crowd.
“It was awesome getting a win as well. Just the cherry on top,” Griffin said following his debut. “It was hands down one of the best days of my life.”
During pregame ceremonies, Griffin climbed the steps of the home dugout on the third base line after being introduced by Pirates play-by-play announcer Greg Brown. No player received a bigger ovation than he did.
“Running onto the field, hearing my name called, I tried to just be present,” said Griffin. “Couldn’t really feel my feet much. Just tried to be where my feet were and enjoy the moment.”
Once the game started, Griffin was quickly tested defensively in the top of the first inning when he fielded a grounder off the bat of Adley Rutschman and stepped on second base for the third out. He was again responsible for an inning-ending play in the second when he started a 6-4-3 double play with second baseman Brandon Lowe and first baseman Spencer Horwitz.
After settling the nerves with a couple of defensive plays, Griffin stepped into the batter’s box for the first time to another roaring ovation from the fans. The 19-year-old found himself in a two-strike count against Kyle Braddish but put a good swing on a curveball on the outer edge and split the left-center gap for a run-scoring double, giving him his first hit and RBI.
“Just trying to be a tough out,” Griffin said of his first trip to the plate. “Obviously the first (at-bat) little jitters, just want to get off a good swing on a good pitch and was able to get a good one and do some damage.”
Griffin’s RBI double broke a scoreless tie and sparked a four-run inning that lifted the Pirates to a win and a 4-3 record to start the season.
“Konnor set the tone there and it kind of frees everybody else up,” said Jared Triolo, who plated Griffin with a base hit to right field. “Kind of showed us how to do it.”
Griffin finished his first game 1 for 3 with a double, an RBI, a run scored and a walk.
Viewed as a potential cornerstone of the franchise, Griffin provided an instant impact and showed off his impressive skillset that includes every tool a position player desires.
It was only one game, but it was one game that could serve as foreshadowing for what’s to come in Griffin’s career with the Pirates. And things couldn’t have gotten off to a much better start.
“No, I probably couldn’t (have scripted it any better). It was a special day and like I said, getting a win just made it even better,” he explained. “Can’t wait to go celebrate with my family. It was everything I dreamed of.”
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