Apr 05, 2026
3 min read
PITTSBURGH — All eyes were on Connor Griffin as the No. 1 prospect in baseball made his debut Friday in front of a packed house at PNK Park in Pittsburgh.But there were other players in the Pirates and Orioles cleats who understood.
PITTSBURGH - No. 1 in baseball Friday for Pittsburgh's home opener against a packed house at PNC Park. One chance as he made his major league debut.The focus was all on Connor Griffin.But there were other players in the Pirates and Orioles bullpen who understood exactly what he was going through.
Paul Skenes is the No. 3 overall and best pitching prospect in baseball, in 2024 when he is called up to the big leagues for his debut. It's May 11, at home against the Cubs and as a former first overall pick.1 in the Draft, the expectations that he not only dominate, but lift the franchise, are enormous. He is days away from turning 22, he is two years older than Griffin, and he still has a lot to assimilate.As a result, he knows better than to tell his new teammates the do's and don'ts of handling debuts, deciding that less is more.
“Not much, because I remember when I came in the first day there was a lot coming at you,” Sequens told Griffin."What came to him was, I didn't want to be anything else. He basically said, be yourself. You can't forget that. You're here for a reason."
Griffin stayed true to that, hitting an RBI double in his first major league at-bat, driving in the first run of what would be a four-run inning for the Pirates in a 5-4 win over the Orioles.He also scored a run, walked and played an error-free shortstop.
Zonnor Griffin covers:
• Griffin had his first career RBI double at the plate
• Full Scouting Report |What to expect
• Everything you need to know about Griffin |By the numbers
• How does Griffin stack up against all-time greats?
• Griffin's unique connection to Hall of Famer Mazeroski
• #1 Prospects
• The most anticipated debut in baseball history
“I’m not a scout, but I think he’s going to be pretty good,” Skenes joked."It's good to have him. He made some good plays at shortstop. A lot of fun for him. A good environment -- probably thanks to him, partly because he's a starter -- and he went out there and did what he does. He didn't try to do too much. He's a difference maker. That really showed today."
Skenes is not the only one who has found himself in similar shoes.Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson was the No. 1 prospect in baseball when he was drafted in late August 2022. He was 21 at the time, more than a year older than Griffin is now.Baltimore has had its share of great rookie prospects, with Adley Rutschman and Jackson Holliday, both No. 1 overall draft picks, receiving a lot of luck upon arrival. Henderson echoed Skenes in reminding Griffin to stay true to himself.
"There's going to be a lot of cameras on you for your first one, no matter how long," Henderson said before the game."Not only did I deal with it, but Rutsch, and then when Jackson Holliday came out. You agree, but then make sure you have time to do what you need to take care of.
"I feel like just sticking to a routine ... will help you, because obviously he's got the ability, he's got the talent. It's just a matter of sticking to your routine and not getting caught up in the day-to-day life of the big leagues. It's always a learning curve, but everything I've heard and seen, he certainly has no problem, and I'll have no problem."
One thing that can catch young players is being compared to big league greats, and Henderson has certainly heard his fair share of that.As flattering as it is, he reminds Griffin to be his own playerOf course, one of the players who has been compared to Griffin's style of play is ... Henderson
"It's a beautiful circle," Henderson said."I played with him in the back game when I was rehabbing last summer. He seems to be doing something better every day. I'm sure he'll do a great job here."
