Austin Bechtel

Well, I have a lot of tweet notifications on for Pirates, Penguins, Steelers, Big Insiders, and stuff like that.

And as soon as I saw the headline for the tweet that the Pirates put out there, which was like opening series, I was like, hold on a minute.

There's got to be something going on with this.

So, obviously, we don't know anything about a contract extension at the moment, but the news is Jason Mackey confirming it, Pirates putting it out there, which is all you need to know.

Opening debut of the period, and it's Connor Griffin in a Pirates jersey with his head tilting up towards the camera, being promoted for opening day tomorrow at PNC Park.

Man, will he get a great pop at the ballpark.

Bob, I'm so excited that Connor Griffin is being called up.

He should have been here since day one.

I think eventually he did say it's okay that he started in AAA, but he was a huge advocate for Griffin starting.

Jason, why do you think the decision was made now?

Why was he not on the team just a week ago?

He will exclusively be a shortstop.

No tinkering with him in center field defensively if O'Neal Cruz struggles to return?

So I just want to clarify this for the audience's sake because people have been asking.

He's not being promoted because an extension is done.

He's being promoted because he's the best option and they feel that that's the case.

How does this change the lineup?

I know Bob touched on this a little bit, but does – would there be too much pressure to bat him leadoff, Jason?

I would put him fifth.

Why would you bat him fifth?