Morning Rundown: Konnor Griffin hits first home run in Marauders win

Griffin hits triple, go-ahead home run for the Bradenton Marauders

Apr 12, 2025

The Pirates’ first-round pick from 2024, Konnor Griffin, had a career night for the Bradenton Marauders, going 2-5 with a triple and a go-ahead two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth.

It had been a rough start to his career for Griffin, who had a few singles here and there but also struck out a good number of times as he adjusted to pro ball.

Now he has a signature game to go along with his young career.

It wasn’t just offense that things were clicking, as he also defensively made a couple of strong plays.

I’ll have more on Griffin’s big night later today.

The Pittsburgh Pirates dropped the first of three games against the Cincinnati Reds on the road, 5-3. Both teams finished the night with four hits, the difference being a wild pitch by Bailey Falter that led to a bad throw from Endy Rodriguez that allowed two runs to score.

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Falter had another rough night, walking five batters in five innings, allowing five runs—only three earned. Adam Frazier hit a two-run home run and Tommy Pham hit an RBI double.

According to John Dreker, the Pittsburgh Pirates made another international amateur signing out of Venezuela, right-handed pitcher Yonleg Gaetano.

The 19-year-old Gaetano is a converted shortstop who is said to be athletic and throws between 88-92 with his fastball.

He was able to get some video on the young pitcher, which is shown below:

Bradenton Marauders activated SS Jeral Toledo
Bradenton Marauders placed OF Will Taylor on the 7-day injured list
Greensboro Grasshoppers sent RHP Franck De La Rosa on a rehab assignment to Bradenton Marauders
Indianapolis Indians activated 2B Nick Yorke from the 7-day injured list
Pittsburgh Pirates recalled RHP Kyle Nicolas from Indianapolis Indians
SS Maikol Escotto roster status changed by Greensboro Grasshoppers (suspended)

Top Exit Velocity

Nick Solak - IND - 108.6 mph - Home Run
Tommy Pham - 106.3 mph - Lineout
Braylon Bishop - 105.9 mph - Groundout
Jack Suwinski - 105.8 mph - Flyout
Joel Mendez - 105.2 mph - Double

Top Pitch Velocity

Franck De La Rosa - BRD - 97.9 mph
David Bednar - IND - 97.8 mph
Eddy Yean - IND - 97.8 mph
David Bednar - IND - 97.3 mph
Eddy Yean - IND - 97.1 mph

Most Whiffs

Carson Fulmer - IND - 12
Nick Dombkowski - ALT - 11
Bailey Falter - PIT - 8
Wilber Dotel - ALT - 6
Randy Labaut - IND - 6

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