The Pittsburgh Pirates optioned 19-year-old Konnor Griffin at the end of Spring training camp after making a push for the Pittsburgh Pirates big league roster. Instead, he got his first taste of Triple-A action Friday night with the Indianapolis Indians. The Indianapolis Indians hosted the St. Paul Saints to open their season.
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Konnor Griffin at the Plate
He started the game at short stop and was leading off for the Indians. In his very first at bat Griffin drew a walk. He then stole second with a brilliant slide for his first stolen base of the season. He scored the Indians first run of the season.
His second at bat ended with a check swing grounding the ball up the middle.
His third at bat was a sharp single driven through an infield hole. He went first to third in a single and late scored on a RBI single from Endy Rodriguez.
Griffin ended his night going one for three with two runs scored, one walk and a stolen base in the Indians 4-2 loss to St. Paul in the season opener.
Defensively
Konnor is a solid defender with a strong arm which he showcased with a slow hopper he fielded between the pitchers mound and infield dirt. He fielder the ball cleanly in its second hop and fired a strike to first off balance to beat the runner by a step.
Wrap up
While Konnor Griffin had a solid debut for Indianapolis. Endy Rodriguez started behind the plate and had two hits, and drove Griffin in twice. Seeing Rodriguez behind the plate and making solid, hard contact was a great start for the young catcher. Griffin’s time at Triple-A should be short-lived. Rodriguez is a name to watch. If his arm holds up behind the plate and he can prove he can throw some runners out, his bat should earn him a potential call-up to play with the Pittsburgh Pirates if needed this season.
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