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jesse rogers
multiple authors
When? Connor Griffin faced with mason miller Last week, the 19-year-old pittsburgh pirates The rookie got the clear message that he was no longer playing in the minor leagues or high school baseball in Mississippi.
star San Diego Padres Close blasted Griffin with triple-digit heat and a pair of bad sliders. he was one welcome to the big leagues moment – but Griffin, in his sixth career game, handled it like he belonged here.
“That was a tough at-bat, but that was a great experience,” Griffin told ESPN. “There’s no better closure than that. It was good for me to write something down on a notepad and learn from it for next time.”
He was hit by five pitches, three of which were over 100 mph. But it was a slider that finished it off, one that proved unlike anything seen before from the game’s newest rising star.
“Now, I’ve done it,” said an unperturbed Griffin. “I have information I can use to my advantage.”
If Griffin seems more mature than most 19-year-olds, that’s because he is. Given the confidence the Pirates have placed in him, he’ll have to: He’s the team’s starting shortstop with some buzz — and He recently signed a nine-year, $140 million contract. But the game’s youngest player is up for the challenge – and he continues to impress his peers by proving it.
“Being younger is definitely different, but we all have the same jobs,” Griffin said. “When you have that common goal, it doesn’t matter your age or experience; it’s about getting the job done.”
When Griffin asked for a daily reminder that he was still a teenager, his teammates surrounded him and started yelling. His musical references? Fast-food order? A video game obsession? Most of the players could not remember anything about their age.
“There’s no point where I’m like, ‘He’s just a kid,'” the 31-year veteran said. brian reynolds Said. “She has her life together.”
outfielder jake mangum Laughing: “The fact that we graduated from the same high school, but a decade apart is why I need a reminder. When he walks up to the plate, and they show his birthdate is 2006, it’s exactly the same, ‘oh my god“
Reigning National League Cy Young winner Paul Skenes Found one thing that spoke to Griffin’s youth: Skenes noted Griffin’s concern about how his teammates would feel after signing a megadeal before pitching in the big leagues.
“It’s something other people won’t have to worry about,” Skenes said, smiling. “Everyone realizes it’s part of the game. That question was a little strange. It’s a reminder that he doesn’t belong here.”
Still, Skenes acknowledged, this could also be seen as a mature level of thinking: Griffin cares about his teammates more than many young players in the same position.
“How many people think so?” Pirates manager Don Kelly asked. “Most people are thinking how do I get mine? And he’s thinking about other people as teammates.”
If you ask those teammates, his maturity is translating into his play at shortstop, even as he’s finding his way at the plate, where he’s 9 of 42 with six RBI to start his career. Despite one big mistake in Thursday’s defeat, he has had a brilliant performance.
“His defense has impressed me the most,” veteran first baseman/outfielder Ryan O’Hearn Said. “He didn’t do a single thing that made me like, ‘Yeah, he’s 19 years old.'”
Still, Griffin brings a youthful spark to the Pirates that has reached every corner of the clubhouse, even to its tallest member, the 35-year-old designated hitter. marcel ozuna.
“Yesterday, he said, ‘Let me rub your head’ to get a hit,” Ozuna recalled with a laugh. “I said, ‘Okay.’ His energy reminds me of when I was his age.”
Before a game at Wrigley Field last weekend, Griffin was asked when He You feel your age the most.
“Actually, when they were showing [former Cub] ben zobrist clip [on the scoreboard],” Griffin said. ”It reminds me of sitting on the couch watching him at the World Series. It’s pretty crazy to be playing on the same field now.”
Griffin was 9 years old when Chicago and Cleveland faced off in the 2016 World Series. In a moment that will make you feel old, Griffin — who turns 20 next Friday — said this is the first World Series he can remember watching.
Skenes said the team will “do something” for Griffin’s birthday, but is unsure what the 20-year-old will get.
“You wouldn’t get him drunk,” Skenes said, laughing. “We’ll do that in a year.”
Griffin is entering the major leagues at a time when the Pirates could be making some noise in the NL.
It has been over a decade since Pittsburgh has reached the playoffs, drawing disappointment from its fan base and criticism from owner Bob Nutting. This winter’s small spending spree, coupled with Griffin’s addition and Skane’s greatness, has brought hope to the Steel City. With a good start, Pirates are building confidence.
“This is definitely our best team,” Reynolds said. “I feel like we’ve had some good starts in the past, but more than anything it’s kind of a tentative start. This team is good. We have a good lineup and good pitching.
“We have mapped out the entire age group. Everyone feels good. There is no one to look after me.”
At only 23 years old, Skenes – similar to Griffin – could be considered more mature than his years. Skenes has certainly experienced more success than others in his young career, which began at the United States Air Force Academy, followed by a College World Series championship at LSU, an NL Rookie of the Year award in 2024 and a Cy Young award last year. He is ready to start the Pirates’ victory.
“Results aside, I’m excited about the group,” Skenes said. “We have winning character from top to bottom in that room, I don’t think we’ve had that in the past.
“This is my third year on the team. It’s been a tough few years.”
Pressed on what it might feel like to win in Pittsburgh, Skenes paused, no doubt remembering his past and noting that the desire to win is not a given.
“I was thinking about it the other day,” he said. “When you’re playing baseball, it’s really hard to figure out how much you want to win until you win some, until you get a taste of it. You don’t know what it feels like.
“What I’ve learned over the last few years is to win. No matter the level. That’s what winning organizations do. This team has that. We’re getting a taste of it. Every game matters. Everyone is playing like every game matters, which is refreshing.”
Griffin’s promotion and new contract are the most recent signs that the Pirates want to part ways for 2026. Skenes and his colleagues have heard great stories from PNC Park. It may be one of the loudest stadiums in the game, but the Pirates haven’t been relevant enough recently to demonstrate it. Can this mix of young and old prove effective?
That is so far, as the Pirates are 11-8 and tied for the lead in the NL Central, following a series win against the Cubs at Wrigley Field last weekend and a split against the Cubs this week. Washington NationalsIn which Griffin hit the first triple of his career. Pittsburgh’s two close wins in Chicago led to loud celebrations after the game with the Pirate fathers who accompanied their sons on the road trip – including Griffin.
“It’s great to see the team atmosphere after a win,” the younger Griffin said.
The Pirates envision more opportunities for them and their families to have fun in that environment — and Griffin is a big part of that. He’s shown he’s ready for the challenge, but the teen from Flowood, Mississippi, population 10,202, is still just 13 games into his major league career and getting acclimated to big league life.
He was asked what made him feel like he had finally arrived, apart from facing the best competition in the world?
“Luxuries of everything,” Griffin said with a smile. “Charter flights, staying in nice hotels. It’s all good stuff. It makes you want to stay here and continue to take advantage.”
