Konnor

Griffin

Griffin opened the game with a bang, launching River Ryan’s second pitch of the game for a 385-foot (101.8-mph) solo shot that gave the Pirates an early lead they’d never relinquish. He also added an RBI single in the fourth inning that extended their lead to 4-0. The 20-year-old shortstop finishes his rookie campaign slashing .272/.324/.404 with six homers, 33 RBI and 23 stolen bases in 339 plate appearances over 80 games.

Griffin tripled with two outs and nobody on in the fifth inning, but was stranded at third base. He hasn’t hit a home run in 16 September games, but has four doubles and two triples. He’s hitting .271 with a .721 OPS this year. Griffin also stole his 23rd base of the season Tuesday.

Griffin came into today just 9-for-46 since coming back from a finger injury on September 4th. He had just two RBI combined in his previous 11 games with an 11/2 K/BB ratio, so this could be a good step in the right direction as the rookie looks to end the season on a high note.

Griffin is back atop Pittsburgh’s lineup to face veteran southpaw Yusei Kikuchi after hitting sixth in his return from the injured list on Friday. The 20-year-old power/speed combo threat has a chance to make a massive impact for fantasy managers over the final three-plus weeks of the season and should be rostered in all leagues until further notice.

Griffin made an instant impact in his return after missing two months with a finger injury. The 20-year-old rookie sensation supplied Pittsburgh’s lone run of the content when he scored from first on Jake Mangum’s double to right field in the second inning. It took a remarkable all-out effort from Griffin to score on a head-first slide, which is emblematic of his all-out play style that makes him one of the most exciting young players in the game. He should be rostered in all fantasy formats.

No word on where he’ll bat tonight after the long layoff but we’re assuming he’ll be in the lineup from the jump. Griffin hit .306/.359/.417 in 39 plate appearances between forearm and finger injuries with six stolen bases and a homer. He should be activated right away in daily transaction leagues and scooped up in any leagues where he was dropped.

If they didn’t think he was going to play tomorrow, he probably wouldn’t be traveling with the club. We’re expecting Griffin to be starting on Friday, the first day he’s eligible to come off the 60-day injured list.

It’ll take Griffin a couple additional rehab contests to get back up to speed following lengthy layoff recovering from a finger injury. However, he’s trending towards making it back to Pittsburgh’s lineup relatively soon, possibly as early as Friday’s game against the Angels when he’s first eligible to come off the injured list.

Griffin, out with a finger injury, will rejoin the Pirates on Monday before likely playing in a couple of more minor league games. He’s eligible to come off the 60-day injured list on Friday.

Griffin is aiming to return for Friday’s series opener against the Angels when he’s first eligible to come off the injured list. The 20-year-old prodigy was hitting .276/.332/.404 with 35 runs scored, five homers, 25 RBI and 20 steals in 247 plate appearances across 59 games before landing on the injured list with a torn sagittal band in his left ring finger since early July. His return would be a massive development for Pittsburgh and he offers enough stolen base upside to be a significant fantasy contributor for the final three-plus weeks of the season.