Pirates Trying to Find This Balance With Konnor Griffin

The Pittsburgh Pirates finally got their star rookie shortstop back over the weekend as the team activated Konnor Griffin off the 60-day injured list. He even made an immediate impact in the team’s series victory over the Los Angeles Angels.

Still, even with Griffin back in the mix, the Pirates still have a unique challenge they’re working to overcome.

They’re trying to find the balance of needing Griffin in the lineup to keep any sort of playoff hope alive while also doing right by the player by easing him back into the mix coming off of injury and making sure he’s not trying to do too much.

Manager Don Kelly said the key to overcoming this problem comes down to “communication and conversation with Konnor.”

“Just continuing to have those [conversations],” continued Pittsburgh’s skipper. “It is at the end of the season, the timing of everything, and just want to make sure that he's in a good spot when he goes out there. Continue to communicate and conversate on how he's doing is key.”

Keeping an open dialogue has already paid off for both the Pirates and Griffin.

Kelly shared that the original plan on Sunday was either not to play or, at the very least, to bat the designated hitter. However, after everyone talked and Griffin was “adamant” that he felt alright, he ended up playing shortstop and leading off for the Pirates.

Not that there were any questions before, but this also highlights Griffin’s willingness to help the team win while

Griffin is still waiting to get his first hit since coming off the injured list, but there’s no question the Pirates are better off with having his bat in the lineup and glove in the field.

Griffin owns a .264/.319/.387 slash line so far in his rookie season. He’s still waiting for some of the power to come around, but the rookie continues to put up quality at-bat after quality at-bat and find a way to get on base.

As long as Griffin, Kelly, and the medical staff continue to stay in constant communication with one another, the Pirates will have the best version of him on the field at all times.

Even if Pittsburgh doesn’t make the playoffs, they can still feel confident about Griffin heading into the winter healthy and ready to go through the progression of a normal offseason instead of rehabbing.