Pirates’ 2024 first round draft pick and MLB No. 1 prospect Konnor Griffin found his power stroke during his second week of Double-A baseball, hitting three home runs and pushing his slash line to .318/.385/.545. Griffin doubled and walked to open the week on Tuesday, Aug. 26, picked up two hits and a walk the following day, then helped the Altoona Curve blow the game open on Friday, Aug. 29 with two home runs and seven RBI.

Power Galore

He wasn’t the only Curve bat to catch fire over the weekend, as All-Star Futures Game participant Esmerlyn Valdez also had a two home run game, hitting four on the week in all, while Nick Cimillo hit for the cycle on Aug. 29 and added a two homer game of his own on Sunday, Aug. 31.

Catching prospect Rafael Flores, a key component of the David Bednar trade, hit two home runs in Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, Aug. 26, one of them off former Cy Young candidate Alek Manoah, who’s currently rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. Flores enjoyed an excellent week at the plate, adding another home run and a triple.

The other Jared Jones, a 2025 ninth round pick from the Pirates out of LSU, hit three home runs on the week, including a two homer game. He began the season with High-A Greensboro and is slashing .167/.300/.476 with four home runs in 13 games, struggling to make contact but clearing the fences when he does.

Pitchers Do Their Part

Hunter Barco pitched three scoreless innings in relief on Saturday, Aug. 30 as he continues to wind down for the season. Carlson Reed, a 2023 fourth round pick out of West Virginia, put together his best start of the season after injuries kept him off the mound for close to three months. Reed fired six scoreless innings, striking out ten batters and allowing just one hit on an economical 76 pitches on Wednesday, Aug. 27. Although the minor league season is almost over, Reed might be back to his 2024 form.

In injury news, Thomas Harrington pitched one clean inning before getting the hook on Aug. 28, landing back on the injured list the following day. Edward Florentino made it back from the IL on Saturday, Aug. 30 and immediately hit a double, rekindling his power hitting ways with Single-A Bradenton.