Mirror picture by Patrick Waksmunski
Curve heart fielder Mitch Jebb tracks a fly ball from Harrisburg’s Cayden Wallace.
Usually the Altoona Curve clubhouse is subdued previous to a recreation because the crew prepares, however Friday night time, all eyes have been on the debut of their former teammate Konnor Griffin.
Nearly each member of the Curve roster and training employees watched as Griffin took the sector for the Pirates and his MLB debut.
Griffin, who performed 25 video games for Altoona in 2025, roped a double in his first at bat a lot to the delight of the clubhouse which erupted in cheers as quickly because the ball hit the bat.
“It’s awesome. Nobody deserves it more than him,” Curve second baseman Duce Gourson stated. “He works his tail off, and he’s one of the best people I know.”
That Griffin was promoted so rapidly and already making an impression for the Pirates is much from a shock to bench coach Gary Green who has seen his justifiable share of infield prospects in his 21 years as an teacher within the Pirates group.
“Obviously, he can do a lot of things,” Green stated. “I mean, he throws well, he runs well, he’s got good hands, he’s got a good first step off the ball. His throws are accurate so he’s certainly at the top of the list. There’s no doubt about it. And just the way he goes about his business, the way he prepares, the ability to focus and concentrate, he’s in a different class.”
With his hit, he grew to become the youngest Pirate to get a success in his debut for the reason that late Bill Mazeroski did it in 1956. It speaks volumes to Griffin’s potential, however he’s proven development each on and off the sector within the early days of his younger profession.
“He’s a phenomenal baseball player and everybody’s seen what he’s done on the field, but I kind of got the unique experience of seeing him grow off the field, and to see how he’s just kind of grown and matured just as a person, and how that’s translated into him just being a mature baseball player and going about his business the right way,” Curve catcher Derek Berg stated. “It’s obviously reflected in all his success so it’s pretty cool to see him out there, and couldn’t be happier for him.”
Berg and Griffin got here to Altoona collectively final season from Greensboro after spending a part of the season collectively in Bradenton as properly. Berg obtained to see first hand how gifted Griffin was on and off the sector and was in a position to mentor him and be his information because the teenager adopted him on street journeys.
He was in a position to speak to Griffin shortly after his promotion whereas Griffin was heading to Pittsburgh
“I called him while he was on his drive from Columbus to Pittsburgh,” Berg stated. “He was pumped. I’m sure he was a little shaky on the road because on all of our road trips together, I made him follow me, so he didn’t have that for this one.”
Joking apart, the expertise Griffin possesses has been seen far and extensive and now the joy to see him on the sector will be felt all through the group.
“He’s just special,” Gourson stated. “He’s cut from a different cloth than most, and I’m just really excited for him.”
Prugar covers the Altoona Curve for the Mirror.