Griffin, also the Pirates No. 1 prospect, seems to have avoided the worst after a close call during Double-A Altoona’s 9-3 win over Richmond.
Batting in the bottom of the seventh, Griffin was struck by Will Bednar’s 1-2 pitch – a 97 mph fastball – in the flap of the helmet, the impact sending Griffin to the ground. Griffin quickly returned to his feet under his own power, and after a brief consultation with Curve athletic trainer Casey Lee, took first base and remained in the game.
He didn’t come to bat again but finished the game’s final two defensive innings without issue.
It was a scary moment for Griffin, who’s taken the Minors by storm during his first pro season. The ninth overall pick in the 2024 Draft, Griffin has climbed three levels this year to reach Double-A as a 19-year-old behind a ludicrous .330/.413/.525 slash line. He’s compiled 19 homers, 88 RBIs and 64 stolen bases in 113 games between those three levels.
