Konnor Griffin helps Pirates to win in his Major League debut

PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 03: Konnor Griffin #6 of the Pittsburgh Pirates records his first MLB hit in the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at PNC Park on April 3, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) | Getty Images Konnor Griffin’s debut was one of the most anticipated debuts we have seen in the league in a long time, and it’s safe to say his debut lived up to those high expectations.

Griffin Batted seventh and started at shortstop in front of a sellout crowd of 38,986 at PNC Park. The rookie provided the highlight moment of the Bucs’ 5-4 win against the Baltimore Orioles when he smashed an RBI double in the first at-bat of his Major League career, opening the scoring in the Bucs four-run second inning. Griffin would score in the very next at bat thanks to an RBI single by Jared Triolo.

Pittsburgh had four straight hits in that second inning that all resulted in RBIs. Henry Davis hit an RBI double that scored Triolo, then Oneil Cruz hit an RBI single to score Davis and give the Pirates a four run lead. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Ryan O’Hearn hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score Bryan Reynolds and give the Bucs a 5-2 lead.

Griffin slashed . 438/. 571/.