Griffin ready, says he can produce more in 2nd half

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Early report seemed to point to something bigger, but Konnor Griffin returns from what the team is currently calling right elbow strain Friday night against the Reds. What Griffin said about his return and keeping his timing.

Griffin said he doesn’t feel like he lost his timing from the benefit of the Trajekt machine where it feels like a real pitcher, to actual live pitching in Florida. Griffin said he’s ready to go forward and believes there is more to give.

“Just trying to be as efficient as I can at the major league level and just be consistent,” Griffin said Friday. “I feel like I can produce more here than I have in the first 50 games.”

In his first half (51 games), Griffin hit .270 with a .327 on-base and .729 OPS with nine doubles, two triples and four home runs with 22 RBI and 14 stolen bases.

He experimented widening his stance a little while away most of the month and said he’s learned how he has to be efficient. As he said, he used to just show up to a ballpark, stretch and go. Now he said getting his body ready begins at the start of the day. He’s focusing on little things to be prepared and will seek treatment for any soreness, no matter how minor.

That includes early treatment for his elbow and doing some plyo work. He doesn’t appear to have hesitations to throwing and hopes he gets an early backhand at short where he can just let one go and then not worry going forward.

Pirates on 1st half of season

“I feel rested,” Griffin said. “I feel recovered. I'm looking to attack the second half as strong as I can. There were ups and downs in the first half for me and I feel like I've got a lot to prove. Just gonna take it day by day and go compete.”

“I think you can feel the energy,” said Pirates manager Don Kelly. “To have him back at short, just the way that (he plays) shortstop, the impact on the bases, the impact at the plate. To have him back in the lineup is a big plus for us.”

“Florida was a good little reset and I’m treating it like this is my second half of the year, so time to get it rolling and finish strong,” Griffin said.