SHOULD GRIFFIN BE SENT TO AAA?

Konnor Griffin got a hit Monday. A single. Hiked his average up to .152.

Huzzah.

Griffin is 5-for-33 with just one extra-base hit, the double that kicked off his MLB career.

Should Griffin be sent to AAA to find his swing?

It wouldn't be humiliation. It wouldn't be punishment. It wouldn't be lifetime banishment. It wouldn't ruin Griffin.

It would be part of Griffin's development. Let Griffin figure it out under a much lesser spotlight, then return and help the Pirates win.

He's 19. He never had any AAA at-bats before this season. He only had 83 at-bats in AA last campaign, his first as a professional.

It's hard.

Keeping Griffin with the Pirates to flail and fail could dig the hole deeper. He's not making much good contact, or having good at-bats.

It's not about fulfilling the hype, or justifying the contract.

It's not about Griffin's exceptional defense at shortstop. You didn't give him $140 million to be Mark Belanger.

It's not about Jared Triolo being hurt, and the Pirates being short on infield options. That's true, but shouldn't factor into what's best for your most important talent besides Paul Skenes.

The Pirates can't blow it with Griffin.

Griffin seems foolproof, but the Pirates might be just the organization to test that.

It's a tough decision. It doesn't have to be made today or tomorrow.

But Griffin needs to start hitting. He needs to start catching up to fastballs.

For the Pirates to be the team you want them to be, they need to get everything right. Not least this.