In the most recent edition of polls conducted by Bucs Dugout fans were asked what has been the biggest loss from the Pirates’ lineup; who’s been missed more, Oneil Cruz or Konnor Griffin? The poll results are in and the majority of Pirates fans that voted said that Griffin was a bigger loss for the team with 57% of the votes reflecting that.
Griffin the former top prospect in baseball was really starting to come around right up until he was sidelined with a right elbow strain injury. The Pirates have approached his rehab cautiously as he just returned to action with the Altoona Curve earlier this week. Still though his presence in Pittsburgh has certainly been missed.
Jared Triolo has taken a majority of the starts at shortstop since Griffin was moved to the IL, and he just doesn’t provide the same spark that the latter does in the lineup. Griffin was already proving to be a very capable defender in the middle infield and was finally showing signs of growth at the plate against major league pitchers. Triolo is probably the most versatile defender on the Pirates, but he’s also an anchor in Pittsburgh’s lineup. His slugging percentage is at a career low .269 while his batting average is just .228 through 48 games played. Triolo is also not a huge threat on the base pads as he only has 5 stolen bases on the season, while Griffin left Pittsburgh with 14 steals which ranks 12th in the National League.
In 51 games played Griffin has a slash line of .270/.327/.402 with 51 hits, four homers, 22 RBIs and the aforementioned 14 steals. His return to Pittsburgh will be a welcomed one, as fans are dying to see what he can do back from injury.
Cruz has certainly been a fixture that’s been missed in Pittsburgh as well. The Pirates’ converted center fielder was having arguably his best season at the plate before being sent to the IL with left hand fractures.
At the time of his injury Cruz was slugging .472 with a .264 batting average. His 14 homers and 21 steals made him a standout in Pittsburgh’s lineup, as the power and speed combination was on full display in the first half of the season. Luckily for Pittsburgh fans (perhaps this influenced the vote) Jake Mangum who has taken a majority of the reps in center since Cruz’s departure has been a positive for the Pirates. He certainly doesn’t bring the same skillset that Cruz possesses but Mangum has been a spark plug with a .291 average and .335 on base percentage.
FanDuel Sports Network has the current betting odds for projected award winners at the end of the MLB season and the Pirates’ rookie Griffin currently has +2000 odds to win the National League’s Rookie of the Year honors. If the rookie can pickup where he left off before landing on the injured list he should be in a great position to take home some hardware and to get back to helping the Buccos in their race to make the postseason.
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