Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski Curve center fielder Mitch Jebb tracks a fly ball from Harrisburg's Cayden Wallace.

Usually the Altoona Curve clubhouse is subdued prior to a game as the team prepares, but Friday night, all eyes were on the debut of their former teammate Konnor Griffin.

Nearly every member of the Curve roster and coaching staff watched as Griffin took the field for the Pirates and his MLB debut.

Griffin, who played 25 games for Altoona in 2025, roped a double in his first at bat much to the delight of the clubhouse which erupted in cheers as soon as the ball hit the bat.

“It’s awesome. Nobody deserves it more than him,” Curve second baseman Duce Gourson said. “He works his tail off, and he’s one of the best people I know.”

That Griffin was promoted so quickly and already making an impact for the Pirates is far from a shock to bench coach Gary Green who has seen his fair share of infield prospects in his 21 years as an instructor in the Pirates organization.

“Obviously, he can do a lot of things,” Green said. “I mean, he throws well, he runs well, he’s got good hands, he’s got a good first step off the ball. His throws are accurate so he’s certainly at the top of the list. There’s no doubt about it. And just the way he goes about his business, the way he prepares, the ability to focus and concentrate, he’s in a different class.”

With his hit, he became the youngest Pirate to get a hit in his debut since the late Bill Mazeroski did it in 1956. It speaks volumes to Griffin’s ability, but he’s shown growth both on and off the field in the early days of his young career.

“He’s a phenomenal baseball player and everybody’s seen what he’s done on the field, but I kind of got the unique experience of seeing him grow off the field, and to see how he’s just kind of grown and matured just as a person, and how that’s translated into him just being a mature baseball player and going about his business the right way,” Curve catcher Derek Berg said. “It’s obviously reflected in all his success so it’s pretty cool to see him out there, and couldn’t be happier for him.”

Berg and Griffin came to Altoona together last season from Greensboro after spending part of the season together in Bradenton as well. Berg got to see first hand how talented Griffin was on and off the field and was able to mentor him and be his guide as the youngster followed him on road trips.

He was able to talk to Griffin shortly after his promotion while Griffin was heading to Pittsburgh

“I called him while he was on his drive from Columbus to Pittsburgh,” Berg said. “He was pumped. I’m sure he was a little shaky on the road because on all of our road trips together, I made him follow me, so he didn’t have that for this one.”

Joking aside, the talent Griffin possesses has been seen far and wide and now the excitement to see him on the field can be felt throughout the organization.

“He’s just special,” Gourson said. “He’s cut from a different cloth than most, and I’m just really excited for him.”

Prugar covers the Altoona Curve for the Mirror.