Konnor Griffin’s Double-A Debut: All the Action, Quotes and Observations

Danny Demilio   |  

Aug 19, 2025

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ALTOONA — Pittsburgh Pirates top prospect Konnor Griffin made his Double-A debut with the Altoona Curve against the Reading Fightin Phils on Tuesday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field.

Griffin was promoted to Altoona from High-A Greensboro on Monday. The 19-year-old manned shortstop and batted second in his first game with the Curve (27-19) in their 6-5 win.

“Yeah, it was a good day,” Griffin said on his debut. “Getting the win is the most important thing. Getting the dub, that was awesome, and getting my first taste of Double-A was fun.”

Here’s everything that happened, postgame quotes and a few observations.

At the Plate/On the Bases

Griffin finished 1 for 4 with a single, a stolen bases a sacrifice fly and two strikeouts.

• Bottom 1st: Griffin hit a broken-bat single to left-center on a 3-2 pitch in his first at-bat off Reading starter Griff McGarry. He proceeded to easily steal second and advanced to third on an error on the throw down to second base. Griffin broke for home on a Termarr Johnson grounder to first base but was thrown out at the plate.

• Bottom 3rd: Griffin struck out swinging on a foul tip. He fell behind in the count 1-2 but worked it full before McGarry got him on the sixth pitch of the at-bat.
• Bottom 4th: The Curve had the bases loaded with one out, forcing Reading to bring in reliever Andrew Baker to face Griffin. The Pirates’ prospect hit a hard grounder right at shortstop Aidan Miller, who started a 6-4-3 double play.
• Bottom 6th: Griffin faced reliever Eiberson Castellano with runners on second and third. On the first pitch of the at-bat, Griffin hit a game-tying sacrifice fly to right field. Sammy Siani advanced 90 feet to tie the game at 5-all.

• Bottom 8th: Griffin struck out with a man on second base against John McCollum to end the eighth inning. He swung and missed on the final two pitches of the at-bat after a ball downstairs and a strike looking began the at-bat.

In the field

• Top 1st: Griffin fielded a grounder off the bat of Jose Rodriguez and threw accurately to first base while on the run for the third out in a 1-2-3 inning.
• Top 2nd: Griffin fielded a grounder to his left, gathered, and hit first baseman Nick Cimillo in the chest for the out. Smooth play.
• Top 3rd: Things got off the rails for the Curve in a four-run top of the third inning. He fielded a ball on his backhand deep in the hole at short and delivered a bullet across the diamond, but a brief hesitation cost him the out. To be honest, it was impressive the play was as close as it was given the pause after he fielded the ball. Speaks to his arm strength.
• Top 6th: Griffin recorded his first Double-A putout on a throw from first baseman Nick Cimillo for a 3-6 fielder’s choice. Reading’s Dylan Campbell beat Griffin’s throw back to first base.
• Top 8th: Griffin caught a routine popup off the bat of Erick Brito for the putout to end the inning.

Quotes

Konnor Griffin on getting his first hit, stolen base and RBI:

“I’m just playing my game. It’s not really a first for me. Try to keep going and do what I’ve been doing all season. Just keep chugging along and helping these guys win.”

Curve manager Andy Fox on Griffin’s debut:

“Even his at-bats, he struck out but still he looked like he’s been here all year. The poise in the box and the calmness, that’s why he is here.”

Observations

• Griffin didn’t show off his power, but his speed, athleticism and defensive ability were all on full display.
• I’m not saying Konnor Griffin will become Alex Rodriguez because that would be an unfair expectation to put on a 19-year-old. With that being said, he’s built like a young A-Rod. Plays like him too.
• Obviously I was following Griffin for much of the game, but even if I wasn’t, the following would still be true. Griffin may have been the youngest player on the field, but he was definitely the standout.
• 5,690 fans were in attendance to watch Griffin, the Curve and some postgame fireworks.
• I didn’t get to try a Curve burger which I’m bummed about. Next time.