The Pirates survived a scare in the MLB Futures Game on Saturday afternoon in Atlanta.
The team’s top prospect, Konnor Griffin, was hit in the wrist by a 97 mph pitch in the fourth inning and left the game.
He returned to the dugout in good spirits, however, and apparently did not suffer a serious injury.
Before getting hurt, Griffin played shortstop and went 1 for 2 with a groundout to third and an infield single. After the single, he stole second base but slid past the bag and was tagged out.
Griffin is one of the top prospects in all of baseball. The 6-foot-4 19-year-old who also plays center field is slashing .327/.400/.921 with 13 home runs and 41 stolen bases split between Bradenton and Greensboro this season.
Outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez also played in the game, flying out to center field in his only at-bat and playing first base.
Valdez, a 6-2 21-year-old who also plays in the outfield, is slashing .296/.378/.947 with 20 home runs and 58 RBIs split between Greensboro and Altoona this season.
National League prospects beat American League prospects 4-2 in the game. Dodgers prospect Josue De Paula hit a three-run homer and was named MVP.
Former Mars standout JJ Wetherholt, a Cardinals prospect, also played in the game.
Splitting his time between DH and second base, he went 1 for 4 with a double.
