Paul Skenes Has Funny Reaction To Konnor Griffin's Milestone Homer

Paul Skenes Has Funny Reaction To Konnor Griffin's Milestone Homer originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Friday was a big day for Pittsburgh Pirates rookie Konnor Griffin.

For starters, it was his 20th birthday -- his first birthday as a Major Leaguer.

The young shortstop celebrated in style by launching the first home run of his MLB career, taking two-time All-Star Brandon Woodruff deep in his first at-bat of the game.

Griffin launched the third pitch he saw from Woodruff over the right-center field wall at American Family Field, scoring the first run of the game and giving the Pirates a 1-0 lead. He celebrated by donning the welder's mask when he got back in the dugout.

KONNOR GRIFFIN
20TH BIRTHDAY | 20TH MLB GAME
1ST MLB HOMER 🔥 pic.twitter.com/TKk2f28IIo— MLB (@MLB) April 25, 2026

That was Griffin's only hit of the game, but it was all Paul Skenes and Pittsburgh needed in their 6-0 shutout of the Brewers.

"He couldn't do it when he was a teenager, I guess. Wanted to wait until he turned 20," Skenes joked after the game. "The league better be on notice, 'cause he's coming."

Skenes is right about that, as Griffin's long ball will likely be the first of many.

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