Noah Hiles thinks Konnor Griffin makes roster, predicts Pirates win total
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Fan Hotline presented by Sullivan Super Service, Pittsburgh's trusted plumbing and HVAC provider for over 50 years. We go back out to the Fan Hotline and we welcome in Noah Hiles from the Post Gazette. Noah, are you still in Bradenton? How long are you down there for? I know with the recent transition, some transaction news with personnel at the PG, you went down to Bradenton. So still there? It looks like. That doesn't look like your house. It does not. No, this is the condo we're staying in. Yeah, I'm down here probably for the rest of spring just helping out Colin Beasley whenever he needs a blow. So not a bad assignment to get, right, to go hang out in Florida for three weeks in March and basically fill in the cracks where the younger guy who's got a bigger, harder-working motor than me now, whenever he needs a blow, I can come in and give him some minutes off the bench.
Is Connor Griffin making the team? I mean, depending on who you talk to, right? Some people certainly think no. I am in the camp that I still think yes. If I had to guess, it would be yes. I think there are some pending factors. I don't think it's a done deal. I'm not overly fixated on his spring training production, especially his batting average. I mean, if a guy was batting this average, 10, 15 games into the regular season. Will we be making a big deal out of it? So why are we doing it in spring training when it's completely different? I think you want to look at the quality of his at-bats. And if those improve, I think he makes the team. He hasn't drawn a walk yet. I think that's something to be concerned about.
He is hitting the ball hard. His pitch recognition is a little spotty right now. But I mean, even still, i arrived here and like really just when the pirates arrived spring training i was of the frame of mind where if this kid looked like he belonged he was going to make the team i don't know if the pirates had that frame of mind but that's how i looked at it and he looks like he belongs i i don't think you can objectively say that this kid isn't a better shortstop than nick gonzalez like he just is if there was an actual everyday shortstop competing with him for this job It'd be different. But he gives this team the best chance to win as many games as possible by starting the season in the major leagues.
Even if he's not entirely ready for some people's standards, he's ready enough where he is their best option. And if that's the case, he should make this team. If he doesn't begin the season in the majors, first part of the question, how long is he in AAA? Is it like the Paul Skeen's route of a couple of years ago where it's, maybe a month and he's up here by like the second week of May. I mean, I can't see any logic for him starting in AAA to begin with Donnie. So I can't pretend to be in the heads of the people who would make that decision. But if he were to go there, I mean, I think he'd be there until he checked off whatever boxes that they want to see him check off. I mean, in this case, If service time is a huge concern, then they shouldn't play them in the major leagues at all because you're going to lose a whole year of service time next year if there's a lockout.
So I don't think that's part of the equation. The Pirates wouldn't have been vocal about their – you know, they're being open to letting this guy compete for the team if they weren't strongly considering it. And I think it's just going to come down to merit. And if he's not ready, if they feel like he's not ready come March 28th, I think is opening day, March 26th, 28th, something like that. Yeah, if he's not ready then, then they'll send him down until he needs to check a couple of final boxes. I don't anticipate that being long, but obviously things can happen. Like if he struggles in AAA, he'll stay there long. If Nick Gonzalez is tearing the cover off the ball and playing great defense at shortstop ahead of Connor Griffin, then maybe it keeps him down there.
But yeah, I don't know. If he isn't on the opening day roster, is it Nick Gonzalez at short and then Jared Triolo at third, or could that be flip-flopped?
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Chapters
5 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:00–4:59
2
What are Noah Hiles' thoughts on Konnor Griffin making the Pirates roster?
4:59–6:25
3
Why is Noah not concerned about Konnor Griffin's spring training batting average?
6:25–9:43
4
How does Konnor Griffin compare to other shortstops in the Pirates system?
9:43–12:50
5
What factors could affect Konnor Griffin's chances of making the team?
12:50–19:16
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