.jpg)
1 hour ago
3
Konnor Griffin is stating his case.
The Pittsburgh Pirates' phenomenal 19-year old shortstop, ranked the No. 1 prospect in all of MLB by every major outlet, put together a brilliant Spring Training showing on Tuesday against the Boston Red Sox.
Griffin launched two home runs, including one that left the ballpark over the pseudo-Green Monster in left field.
“There's just not a whole lot of people that hit it that far at a Fenway field setup," Pirates starting pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski said afterward, via MLB.com. "I know it's Fenway South, but going out of the stadium at that point was super impressive.”
Even the opposing starting pitcher, Ranger Suarez, had good things to say.
"I heard very good things about him," Suárez said. "Great, great ballplayer, a very good hitter, and you can see that... I suppose when you're the top prospect in the game that people expect that from you, and he did it today. No, I wasn’t surprised.”
MORE: Yankees making history not done since 1889 Chicago White Stockings
This will all heat up the chatter about whether Griffin should make the Pirates' Opening Day roster.
On the one hand, they have no reason at all to rush him.
On the other hand, if he's very ready, then he's ready.
The choice will be a tricky one for Pittsburgh, but one known fact is this: If Griffin starts on Opening Day, he'll be the youngest player to do so since Adrian Beltre in 1999, per MLB.com.
Griffin will turn 20 on April 24, a little less than a month into the season.
The future is bright. Pirates fans just want to know how soon the future becomes the present.
More MLB news:
- Team USA has a finalized WBC roster and an awesome lineup
- Dominican Republic WBC roster is loaded with stars
- An Edwin Diaz nightmare looms for the Mets
- Buster Posey will change Hall of Fame voting forever
- How Jose Ramirez is on pace to become Cleveland's Derek Jeter
- Phillies' phenom has an MLB All-Star father
English (US)