Morning Rundown: Konnor Griffin hits three doubles, Spencer Horwitz starts rehab
Griffin finishes week strong, Horwitz plays in Altoona
Konnor Griffin finished his week against the Lakeland Tigers strong, going 3-4 with three doubles, scoring both of Bradenton’s runs in their 2-1 win.
In the final four games of the series, Griffin went 8-19 with two home runs and three doubles. He had at least one extra base hit in the final three games.
He’s struggled a bit with secondaries, but has mashed on fastballs this season. This weekend raised his overall hitting line to .270/.345/.514 with four doubles, a triple, four home runs, and 11 stolen bases.
Spencer Horwitz began his rehab assignment on Sunday, playing for the Altoona Curve. He went 1-2 with a walk before being subbed out by Brenden Dixon.
It was the first bit of game action we’ve seen from Horwitz inside the Pirates’ organization. It came out that he had surgery on his wrist right before camp began, and has been out since then.
He hit .265/.357/.433 with 12 home runs and 40 RBI in 97 games last year with the Toronto Blue Jays before coming over to the Pirates in a trade (through the Cleveland Guardians) this past offseason.
According to Assistant General Manager Bryan Stroh, who was filling in for Ben Cherington for his weekly radio appearance, right-handed pitcher Justin Lawrence was seeking a second opinion on his arm and will be out for more than 15 days.
Claimed off waivers from the Colorado Rockies, Lawrence was added to the injured list for ‘right-elbow inflammation’
Pittsburgh Pirates sent 1B Spencer Horwitz on a rehab assignment to Altoona Curve
Top Exit Velocity
Andrew McCutchen - PIT - 110.2 mph - Single
Jack Suwinski - IND - 110 mph - Double
Konnor Griffin - BRD - 109.8 mph - Double
Liover Peguero - IND - 108.7 mph - Groundout
Malcom Nunez - IND - 106.6 mph - Single
Top Pitch Velocity
Kyle Nicolas - PIT - 98.3 mph
Kyle Nicolas - PIT - 97.7 mph
Kyle Nicolas - PIT - 97.7 mph
Kyle Nicolas - PIT - 97.5 mph
Colin Holderman - PIT - 97.3 mph
Most Whiffs
Hunter Barco - ALT - 15
Jose Garces - BRD - 6
Carson Fulmer - IND - 6
Connor Oliver - GBO - 6
Antwone Kelly - GBO - 6
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Indianapolis Indians - 3 vs St. Paul Saints - 5
Top Hitter - Nick Yorke: 1-3, 2 RBI, BB
Top Pitcher - Ryder Ryan: IP, 2 H, ER, BB, K
Altoona Curve - 4 vs Chesapeake Baysox - 1
Top Hitter - Jase Bowen: 2-4, R, RBI, HR, 2B
Top Pitcher - Hunter Barco: 3 IP, H, 8 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 1 vs Bowling Green Hot Rods - 3
Top Hitter - Esmerlyn Valdez: 1-4, R, BB
Top Pitcher - Antwone Kelly: 2 IP, H, 3 K
Bradenton Marauders - 2 vs Lakeland Flying Tigers
Top Hitter - Konnor Griffin: 3-5, 2 R, 3 2B
Top Pitcher - Jose Garces: 2 IP, 2 BB, 2 K
Before we get excited about a 3-3 trip, let’s try to remember that the Angels are a bad team. They won some games early, but now they’re settling in to last place. They’ve lost 10 of 13. After the Pirates left, they got stomped three straight by the struggling Twins.
Asst. GM was on yesterday. Promoted from general counsel. Made some very compelling talking points. From Thousand Oaks and played ball growing up with Jack Wilson.
-They're going to give Pham an extended run to see if something clicks. It's only fair to the player to see if he can normalize his batting line. Not fair to cut bait on a guy after 30 games...It would be impulsive to act in that manner. That's a fans mindset.
-Mentioned that Horwitz should be in AAA before he comes to PGH.
-Lawerence is getting a second opinion, which obviously is not good.
-Mentioned Gorski is basically up to face lefties and double switches.
-Talked about the trade to acquire Inmanuel Valdez and traits that they liked.