After Konnor Griffin's MLB debut last week against the Orioles resulted in a double and a head-first slide home to electrify the PNC Park crowd, he'd go 13 at-bats without a hit. However, in the Pirates' 7-1 win over the Padres Tuesday night at PNC Park, he broke that streak with a fifth-inning infield single and later added a two-run single in the eighth.
Griffin's speed and gait is often described like a deer running through a field, only this is a 6-3, 222-pound athlete blazing the base paths to create a new dimension and threat for his ball club.
"It's game-changing when you see him get going like that down the line and to be able to score on some of those balls," said Don Kelly. "I remember the one, those of you that were down there in spring, when he scored on the Red Sox when the shortstop dove in the hole and he ends up scoring from second. It just adds another element of his game to the team to be able to put pressure on the other team."
Defensively, Griffin made a number of nice plays since making his debut, including tonight's 4-6-3 double play with Nick Gonzales in the sixth inning.
"I was fired up," Paul Skenes said of Griffin. "I had him once, I think, in spring training, maybe twice. Made a really nice turn there, getting the ball from Nick at second. Made a couple good plays. He’s a difference maker, for sure."
THE ASYLUM
Griffin's five tools on display
After Konnor Griffin's MLB debut last week against the Orioles resulted in a double and a head-first slide home to electrify the PNC Park crowd, he'd go 13 at-bats without a hit. However, in the Pirates' 7-1 win over the Padres Tuesday night at PNC Park, he broke that streak with a fifth-inning infield single and later added a two-run single in the eighth.
Griffin's speed and gait is often described like a deer running through a field, only this is a 6-3, 222-pound athlete blazing the base paths to create a new dimension and threat for his ball club.
"It's game-changing when you see him get going like that down the line and to be able to score on some of those balls," said Don Kelly. "I remember the one, those of you that were down there in spring, when he scored on the Red Sox when the shortstop dove in the hole and he ends up scoring from second. It just adds another element of his game to the team to be able to put pressure on the other team."
Defensively, Griffin made a number of nice plays since making his debut, including tonight's 4-6-3 double play with Nick Gonzales in the sixth inning.
"I was fired up," Paul Skenes said of Griffin. "I had him once, I think, in spring training, maybe twice. Made a really nice turn there, getting the ball from Nick at second. Made a couple good plays. He’s a difference maker, for sure."
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