Overview
- The 19-year-old shortstop, who debuts Friday at PNC Park against Baltimore, was placed seventh in the Pirates’ batting order.
- Pittsburgh sent Griffin to Triple-A late in spring training, and he hit .438 in five games to speed his return to the majors.
- Scouts rate Griffin as a five-tool talent and MLB Pipeline lists him as baseball’s No. 1 prospect.
- Before first pitch, Griffin said comparisons to Cal Ripken Jr. were “pretty special” and stressed he wants to build his own legacy.
- Some commentary questioned whether he is truly 19 based on a viral team video, though official listings put him at 19 with no documented evidence to the contrary.