Three observations from the Pirates' 6-1 win over the Cardinals here today at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium:
• It's easy for one to be in awe of the power Konnor Griffin displays in batting practice or live BP settings. But when his approach leads to putting good swings on balls in actual game competition, it validates his standing as a legit superstar in the making. Griffin homered again here against the Cardinals, belting an 0-1 KyleLeahy sweeper over the fence in left-center field in the first inning. A hanging breaking ball and he was just waiting on it for his third homer of the spring. I'd like to see him sprinkle in some other hits, cause some havoc on the bases and continue to have good at-bats once pitchers are more in game shape, but the kid certainly looks the part. I mentioned wanting to see him steal some bags this spring and Griffin said he's "itching to get dirty." The defense has to be sharp, too, but Griffin is certainly making his case for a spot on the opening day roster. He just has to keep producing and learning along the way.
• I've been impressed by the things I've seen from JhostynxonGarcia this spring. He's played solid defense, showed that his arm plays in the outfield and he's having good at-bats. He's produced three multi-hit games so far and has only struck out twice while walking three times in 16 plate appearances. Today, he walked on five pitches by laying off four up and out of the zone, and then homered in his second at-bat, refusing to chase at two pitches away before hammering an inside slider out to left field. He also added a sixth-inning single on a curveball down in the zone. The results have been good to see. Everything leading to those results, that's even more important.
• If JaredTriolo is indeed going into opening day as the starting third baseman, offensive production at the bottom half of the order is a must. Surely the offseason additions to the lineup will help take pressure off of him having to do too much, but he's shown he's capable of hitting at the major-league level when there's less at stake. He needs to produce -- like he did with his two hits, including a double, here today -- on a more consistent basis and provide more than just an elite glove.
THE ASYLUM
Three observations: Young bats show off
Three observations from the Pirates' 6-1 win over the Cardinals here today at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium:
• It's easy for one to be in awe of the power Konnor Griffin displays in batting practice or live BP settings. But when his approach leads to putting good swings on balls in actual game competition, it validates his standing as a legit superstar in the making. Griffin homered again here against the Cardinals, belting an 0-1 Kyle Leahy sweeper over the fence in left-center field in the first inning. A hanging breaking ball and he was just waiting on it for his third homer of the spring. I'd like to see him sprinkle in some other hits, cause some havoc on the bases and continue to have good at-bats once pitchers are more in game shape, but the kid certainly looks the part. I mentioned wanting to see him steal some bags this spring and Griffin said he's "itching to get dirty." The defense has to be sharp, too, but Griffin is certainly making his case for a spot on the opening day roster. He just has to keep producing and learning along the way.
• I've been impressed by the things I've seen from Jhostynxon Garcia this spring. He's played solid defense, showed that his arm plays in the outfield and he's having good at-bats. He's produced three multi-hit games so far and has only struck out twice while walking three times in 16 plate appearances. Today, he walked on five pitches by laying off four up and out of the zone, and then homered in his second at-bat, refusing to chase at two pitches away before hammering an inside slider out to left field. He also added a sixth-inning single on a curveball down in the zone. The results have been good to see. Everything leading to those results, that's even more important.
• If Jared Triolo is indeed going into opening day as the starting third baseman, offensive production at the bottom half of the order is a must. Surely the offseason additions to the lineup will help take pressure off of him having to do too much, but he's shown he's capable of hitting at the major-league level when there's less at stake. He needs to produce -- like he did with his two hits, including a double, here today -- on a more consistent basis and provide more than just an elite glove.
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