Konnor Griffin Sends Winning Message Before Pirates Debut
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PITTSBURGH — Konnor Griffin is with the Pittsburgh Pirates and ready to contribute, but he also is excited for what the team can do the rest of 2026.
Griffin spoke pregame about his emotions on making his debut, but that he wants to win now and sees a Pirates ball club that can do just that, especially with how they've played so far in 2026.
He sees himself as just one part of a team that is ready to contend and that they all have the same goal at the end of the day.
"Yeah I mean, this team is loaded," Griffin said. "I get to come in here and just be a piece of this puzzle. There's a lot of guys that are on this roster that are doing great things already for our team and I'm just thankful to kind of join the group and try to contribute myself. These guys, they're warriors and they're ready to win games and I'm ready to do the same thing."
Why Konnor Griffin Understandably Has High Hopes for Pirates
The Pirates haven't had much success in recent times, not making the playoffs since 2015 and their last winning season coming in 2018, both the second-longest streaks of any MLB team.
Pittsburgh made numerous additions this offseason, signing free agents in sluggers like Marcell Ozuna and Ryan O'Hearn and veteran southpaw Gregory Soto, plus landing three important players in a trade from the Tampa Bay Rays in second baseman Brandon Lowe, outfielder Jake Mangum and left-handed relief pitcher Mason Montgomery.
The Pirates lost their first two games of the season, but have three of the past four contests and are back to .500 (3-3), as they've improved in each area of play.
Offense was a main issue that the Pirates addressed this offseason and they have 10 home runs through six games, including six home runs over their past two wins against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park, March 31-April 1, both finishing 8-3.
The Pirates have gotten great production from Lowe, who has hit three home runs, and O'Hearn, who has two home runs and has a slash line of .421/.522/.737 for an OPS of 1.259.
Outfielders Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds finally started hitting against the Reds, with Cruz smashing three home runs and Reynolds adding two as well, with the Pirates needing the returning duo to add some power.
Griffin now joins this lineup, where he'll provide hits and home runs, a great glove at shortstop and impressive speed for some crucial stolen bases.
The Pirates main source of success is their pitching, which has been stellar after their 11-7 Opening Day to the New York Mets at Citi Field on March 26.
Pittsburgh has allowed just 12 earned runs over the past five games, posting a 2.35 ERA, and both the starting rotation and bullpen have combined for strong outings.
A starting rotation with 2025 National League Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes, veteran Mitch Keller, young aces in Braxton Ashcraft and Bubba Chandler, plus Carmen Mlodzinski is one of the best in baseball.
It also doesn't hurt the bullpen features Soto and Montgomery, right-handed pitchers in Justin Lawrence, Isaac Mattson, Yohan Ramírez and Dennis Santana, plus rookie southpaw Hunter Barco.
Griffin could featuer in the first Pirates team to bring back meaningful baseball to the city and the fans will surely oblige and show up in droves if they do.
Dominic writes for Pittsburgh Pirates On SI, Pittsburgh Panthers Pn SI and also, Pittsburgh Steelers On SI. A Pittsburgh native, Dominic grew up watching Pittsburgh Sports and wrote for The Pitt News as an undergraduate at the University of Pittsburgh, covering Pitt Athletics. He would write for Pittsburgh Sports Now after college and has years of experience covering sports across Pittsburgh.