PITTSBURGH – Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin was “itching” to return from the injured list. On the second pitch he saw Friday night, he made it known to the baseball world.
Griffin hammered a fastball 435 feet at 108.9 mph to left field for a no-doubt home run. Griffin was activated off the IL ahead of Friday night’s game against the Reds. The 20-year-old led off for the second time in his MLB career.
Griffin became the fifth-youngest player in MLB history to hit a leadoff homer.
Griffin went on the IL on May 31 with a right forearm strain. He played in one rehab game on Wednesday for Double-A Altoona, reaching base all four times in the contest while ripping a triple and a home run.
“I didn't feel like I lost my timing or anything,” Griffin said. “I felt good in the field. I had a few plays, so I’m ready to get back out there, and they’re gonna let me out there tonight…I feel like I can produce more out here than what I have in the first 50 games.”
He returned to Pittsburgh on Thursday, when he worked out pregame with the team and was evaluated by the medical staff. Griffin had been cleared to hit since reporting the injury, appearing as the designated hitter twice before hitting the IL.
The Pirates wanted to see how Griffin’s throwing arm would respond following the strain in the field. After consultation with Dr. Keith Meister, it was suggested that Griffin take a two-week break from throwing. He did just that before heading to Florida to rehab the arm while the Pirates were on the road in mid-June.
“It's more for me just getting my body ready at the beginning of the day,” Griffin said. “Normally, last year, I would just show up, do some stretching, and go out there and play. It's a lot more important now than being there early and focusing on the little things, even a little soreness, where it's in the legs or arm or whatever, make sure to get it worked on.”
Griffin led off with Spencer Horwitz out and the Pirates facing a left-handed starting pitcher in Andrew Abbott. Pirates manager Don Kelly said they’ll see how the process goes with Griffin in the leadoff spot, and Jake Mangum will likely see some time in the position against right-handed pitching.
Pirates RBI and home run leader Brandon Lowe said Griffin’s five tools are a game-changer and make it easier for him to drive in runs. Kelly added that while the team certainly feels the energy of Griffin’s return, the club will go day by day to see how Griffin’s arm is recovering. Griffin likely won’t play every day at shortstop, at least for the few days back.
“He's been better, honestly, than expected to get off to this start that he had,” Kelly said. “The hype is up there, and then for him to settle into the groove that he had gotten into right before he got hurt.”
Griffin said he treated it as a reset to figure out his body and make tweaks to his recovery process. In Bradenton, Griffin worked on throwing from different arm angles and returning to full strength. With Altoona, Griffin made an error in the field but said he felt good after the outing, during which he played seven innings.
The former MLB Pipeline No. 1 overall prospect’s highest velocity on a throw was 94 mph, he said, and he wanted to make sure he could stay at his average, which sits around 84-85 mph. Griffin also used the time off to work on a few tweaks to his game, widening his stance to add more consistency to his offensive output. He watched every game and picked up different ideas from both teammates and opponents while watching their routines from the dugout.
“I'm treating it as this is my second half of the year, so time to get it rolling and try to finish strong,” Griffin said.