Jeff Hathorne

Right now, I want to worry about putting Connor Griffin in the best possible situation Friday, Saturday, Sunday against the Orioles at PNC Park.

And I'm okay batting him seventh.

I'm okay batting him eighth.

That's not me saying that I think Connor Griffin's the seventh or eighth best hitter in the Pirates lineup.

That's not easy to say.

It's just trying to put him in a position to succeed.

And they dropped O'Neal Cruz in the lineup for the Red Series.

You guys might have noticed that.

What did it do?

Like, just lessen the pressure on him, man.

Let him come up here and beat Connor.

Let him play.

Let him maybe see some more fastballs.

Let him crush him.

Let him get on the bases and do some stuff and then adjust from there.

though where I wouldn't come out hitting fifth yeah I wouldn't either right now but ultimately where would you think to me he's the ultimate leadoff hitter for them I I'm probably in the camp of the leadoff hitter Bob yeah I mean I I just like I like a guy at the top who can put the ball over the fence and they're and they're on the bases but the dynamic with Cruz is interesting because I do think he likes being in that leadoff spot I I you can't go wrong man hit him third hit him fifth

One of those, he's going to be in a primary spot in your batting order.

I feel confident of that.

I think he is too, and I think Spencer Horwitz is a really good defensive first baseman.

I think they need to get Spencer Horwitz more at bats, personally.