Pirates’ Top Prospect Griffin Continues Hot Spring Training Streak with Another Homer

Baseball's number one prospect Konnor Griffin blasted his third home run in six spring training games, powering the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 6-1 victory over St. Louis. The 19-year-old shortstop is making a compelling argument for an Opening Day roster spot with his impressive performance.

Baseball’s top-rated prospect Konnor Griffin continued his remarkable spring training performance on Sunday, launching another home run to power the Pittsburgh Pirates past the St. Louis Cardinals 6-1 in Jupiter, Florida.

The 19-year-old shortstop, who celebrates his 20th birthday on April 24, delivered a two-run blast in the opening frame – marking his third long ball in just six spring contests and 14 plate appearances. According to MLB Pipeline’s rankings, Griffin sits atop all baseball prospects and is building a compelling argument for Pittsburgh’s Opening Day shortstop position. Remarkably, all three of his hits this spring have left the ballpark.

Pittsburgh received additional offensive support from Jhostynxon Garcia, who also went deep, helping the team establish a commanding 4-0 advantage by the second inning. On the mound, Pirates hurler Hunter Barco – another top-100 organizational prospect – dominated through three hitless frames, recording three strikeouts while issuing two free passes.

St. Louis managed only one hit courtesy of Yohel Pozo, with their lone run coming via a double play. The Cardinals struggled offensively, managing just two at-bats with runners in scoring position.

In other spring action, the Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays battled to a 4-4 deadlock in Lakeland, Florida. Toronto’s offense roughed up two-time reigning Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal, who surrendered two runs and four hits across three innings after cruising through his initial spring outing. Detroit collected nine hits from nine different players, with Riley Greene contributing the team’s only extra-base knock – an RBI double.

Jonatan Clase paced Toronto’s attack with three hits, including a two-run double off Skubal in the third inning. Blue Jays pitcher Grant Rogers turned in three flawless innings on the hill.

The New York Mets edged the Houston Astros 4-3 in Port St. Lucie, Florida, behind home runs from Tyrone Taylor and Chris Suero, plus a double from Cristian Pache. Despite managing only six hits, three went for extra bases in New York’s prospect-heavy lineup. Clay Holmes impressed in his second spring start, fanning four batters over four innings while allowing one run.

Houston received hits from Jose Altuve and Joey Loperfido, scoring runs via sacrifice fly, walk, and wild pitch before Yonatan Henriquez delivered a walk-off single for the Mets.

The New York Yankees defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 5-3 in Clearwater, Florida, breaking a 1-1 tie with a four-run seventh inning rally. Duke Ellis tripled and Yanquiel Fernandez doubled during the decisive frame. Yankees starter Will Warren established early momentum with 3⅔ innings of one-hit ball and three strikeouts, lowering his spring ERA to 1.42 across 6⅓ innings through two starts.

Philadelphia’s Bryson Stott connected for his second spring homer, but the team’s top three hitters – Trea Turner, J.T. Realmuto, and Alec Bohm – combined for an 0-for-9 performance with three strikeouts. Reliever Zach Pop absorbed the loss after surrendering four runs in ⅔ of an inning.

Atlanta’s split squad defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 5-3 in North Port, Florida, with consecutive home runs from Austin Riley and Ben Gamel providing the winning margin. Gamel, a veteran competing for a roster spot, has launched three homers in 11 at-bats this spring, while Riley has two. Michael Harris II contributed a two-run single, and Reynaldo Lopez delivered three innings of one-hit shutout relief.

Tampa Bay received second spring homers from Yandy Diaz and Jacob Melton, while Drew Rasmussen tossed three perfect innings. The right-hander has surrendered just one hit across five scoreless spring innings.

In Fort Myers, Florida, another Atlanta split squad tied Minnesota 2-2 behind home runs from Brewer Hicklin and John Gil. The Twins received outstanding work from Mick Abel, who struck out six while allowing one hit over three scoreless frames. Minnesota acquired Abel from Philadelphia in last year’s Jhoan Duran trade. The Twins plated their runs on sixth-inning sacrifice flies by Kody Clemens and James Outman.

The Baltimore Orioles narrowly defeated the Boston Red Sox 8-7 in Fort Myers, with Heston Kjerstad collecting three hits and top prospect Samuel Basallo driving home two with a double. Fourth-ranked prospect Enrique Bradfield Jr. contributed a single, walk, and two runs for Baltimore. Offseason acquisition Chris Bassitt made his spring debut, allowing two runs over two innings.

Boston’s key winter addition Willson Contreras blasted his second spring homer – a three-run shot – as part of a two-hit, two-run performance at designated hitter. Allan Castro added a two-run single for the Red Sox, who squandered an early 6-1 advantage.

Finally, the Miami Marlins blanked the Washington Nationals 3-0 in West Palm Beach, Florida, using three extra-base hits to secure victory. Christopher Morel delivered an RBI triple, Daniel Johnson contributed an RBI double, and Heriberto Hernandez launched his first spring homer. Offseason signing Chris Paddack anchored a dominant pitching effort with three strikeouts over two shutout innings.

Washington managed four singles while going hitless in four at-bats with runners in scoring position. Brad Lord, who debuted in the majors last season, surrendered two runs on five hits across 2⅓ innings.