Overview
- The Pirates slotted rookie Konnor Griffin into the leadoff spot and at shortstop for Tuesday’s game against the Chicago Cubs, marking his first career start as the club’s leadoff hitter.
- Kelly said he chose Griffin to exploit the matchup with left-hander Jordan Wicks, and the team has now used seven different leadoff hitters this season as it experiments with the top of the lineup.
- Griffin has shown clear improvement entering the move, hitting .262 with a .705 OPS, collecting 12 stolen bases, and ranking in the 98th percentile for sprint speed and baserunning value.
- Earlier in the series Kelly was ejected after disputing a hit-by-pitch call involving Griffin, and the manager has publicly defended the rookie while gradually increasing his responsibilities.
- Griffin’s placement atop the order ties to larger expectations from his nine-year, $140 million contract and has prompted early Rookie of the Year attention, with observers watching whether the leadoff role becomes a regular assignment.