Pirates’ Konnor Griffin Flashing Maturity As A Rookie
Pirates’ shortstop Konnor Griffin got a pair of opportunities with the bases loaded on Saturday, striking out on both occasions. Pittsburgh won 7-1 and held a four-run lead after the second inning, so Griffin’s inability to plate runs didn’t end up costing the team.
The 20-year-old took the lesson to heart, however, and was ready when his spot in the order came up the following day with the bases loaded and one out in a 4-4 game. Griffin quickly fell behind 1-2 in the count, unsuccessfully challenging a called strike, but battled through the at-bat until the seventh pitch, which he flipped to right for a two-run single. The base hit put the Pirates in front for good.
Griffin described how he altered his approach in order to come through for his teammates.
“I just think about how I’ve been through, I went through that situation twice yesterday and wasn’t able to produce anything from it,” Griffin said. “And so I kind of changed my approach to just come up big for your team, stay short to the ball. Ended up working out good for us, so I was pumped.”
Wise Beyond His Years
Pirates’ manager Don Kelly praised Griffin for his maturity, laughing as he compared the young shortstop to himself at 20.
“He’s way mature beyond his years. He is going to have huge moments like that, yes, and also understanding that he’s 20 and learning, and for him to have that type of at-bat in that situation, fouling off those pitches, and to be able to break the tie, that was unbelievable,” Kelly said.
“I think it’s the work ethic, the way that he goes about it. He is a mature kid to begin with, and then when you put the talent on top of that, it’s hard to beat… his eagerness to learn, and even when he has a quote unquote failure, he still wants to learn through it, and it’s pretty impressive.”
Griffin said that after living on his own for the better part of the last two years, he learned to grow up quickly.
“I’ve had to grow up pretty quick, getting drafted out of high school. I reclassified a year early to get drafted quicker, been living on my own for a while now, got married,” Griffin said. “I’ve just grown up really quick, and I just had to adapt to what life has grown at me.”
Griffin also flashed his baserunning acumen during the series against the Nationals, racing home on a double steal on July 4 and breaking an 111-year-old franchise record after recording his 20th career steal the following day, needing just 59 games to reach the milestone.
Breaking Records
“Just his aggressiveness and the way he gets after it,” Kelly said of Griffin’s ability on the basepaths. “He’s always ready to go. He’s smart, too. He understands slide-step, and when to shut it down. And then he understands the times that it’s good to push the envelope a little bit and take a chance.”
Griffin’s aggressive approach seemed to get in the head of Nationals’ starter Cade Cavalli. After Griffin reached on an infield single to start the game, Washington’s right-hander threw to first base three times during the following at-bat, committing a disengagement violation that gave Griffin second base. Cavalli threw wide of first on another pickoff try the following inning, allowing Tyler Callihan to take third on the error.
Griffin, for his part, gave the impression of a shark smelling blood as he described how each successful steal encourages him to continue wreaking havoc on the basepaths.
“I’ve had a good bit of stolen bags here lately on this road trip. Keeps making me want to get more and more, that’s kind of how it was in high school, how it was last year,” Griffin said. “I just kept getting them, and I just wanted more, so it’s fun chasing high numbers.”
Last but not least, Griffin made an impact in the field, flashing his five-tool ability with a pair of diving catches while ranging into the outfield. Battling the sun on one catch, Griffin landed awkwardly but shook off the effects of the play.
“We’re professional athletes,” Griffin said. “We’re supposed to lay our bodies out there every day.”
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