Konnor Griffin continues to make history.
Debuting at 19 years old, recording an RBI double in his first at-bat, and becoming the youngest shortstop to debut since Alex Rodriguez in 1994, Griffin added another accolade to his growing list.
On Tuesday, Griffin became the youngest Pirate to bat leadoff in 74 years. Griffin, 20, is the youngest Buc to hit first to start the game since Bobby Del Greco (19 years old) in 1952.
Griffin walked on four pitches to start the game and scored on Bryan Reynolds’
two RBI double in the first.
The former No. 1 overall prospect in baseball and 2024 No. 9 pick debuted at the home opener on April 3 and has made an immediate impact in the lineup.
In 47 games before Tuesday’s matchup against the Chicago Cubs, the 6-foot-3 shortstop is slashing .262/.321/.384 with a .705 OPS and 45 hits.
Griffin has hit as high as second in the Pirates lineup and as low as eighth.
Don Kelly began moving Griffin up in the lineup earlier this month against left-handed pitching and continued with the Bucs facing Jordan Wicks.
Griffin owns eight doubles, two triples, three home runs, 20 RBIs, and has 13 walks. He has struck out 51 times, including 15 times in his last 15 games.
Griffin has done a solid job of making contact, beating out grounders for infield singles, and taking the extra base when the opportunity presents.
He owns 12 stolen bases and is one of the fastest young players in the sport. Griffin has only been caught stealing one time.
Signed to a nine-year contract extension and emerging as a face of the franchise, Griffin still hasn’t found a permanent home in the lineup. He profiles as a prototypical leadoff hitter thanks to his combination of contact, power, speed, and a good sense of the zone.
The Pirates took the first of an important four-game series against Chicago, 2-1, on Monday night.
