Griffin's Hot Streak Ignites Pirates

0:00On April 26, Pittsburgh Pirates' rookie shortstop Connor Griffin is heating up after a rocky start to his big league career. In two games against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field, the 20-year-old smashed his first major league home run on his birthday, A. Solo shot in a three-hit game that helped seal a six-nothing win. He added another RBI single and stole a base, too. The next night, Griffin kept the momentum with two more singles, including one that drove in a run early, contributing to a six-three victory in extra innings. Over those eight at-bats, he racked up five hits total, showing real promise against top pitching. Before this series, road games have been tough for him. In his first two-away trips against the Cubs and Rangers, he managed just one hit in 22 at-bats, hitting a measly 0.045 average. The Pirates called him up right before their home opener on April 3, and locked him into a nine-year, $140 million extension, just five days later.

1:01Now in his third-road series, he's proving he can handle the jump from the minors. Griffin's biggest challenge has been the higher velocity up here, but crushing fastballs over 99 miles per hour in sharp slider signals. He's adapting fast. This hot streak could be the turning point the Pirates need from their young star. That's your MLB News today update, AI-powered and always on.