Postcard from Cardinals spring training camp for Sunday, March 1, 2026
Result: Pirates 6, Cardinals 1
Weather: Partly cloudy, 76 degrees
By Rob Rains
JUPITER, Fla. – The Cardinals got their first look on Sunday at Konnor Griffin, the 19-year-old phenom who is trying to win a spot on the Pirates’ opening day roster.
He lived up to his advance billing.
Griffin launched a long two-run homer in the first inning off Kyle Leahy, his third home run of the spring, to lead the Pirates to the win in their first trip across the state from Bradenton since the Cardinals moved to Jupiter in 1998.
“It wasn’t a great pitch,” Leahy said. “He is a good hitter. You need to be a little more fine or execute a little better to hitters like that.”
Leahy did retire Griffin, on a groundout, in his next at-bat and Griffin also popped out in his third at-bat in the game.
Leahy tried to think back to when he was 19 – and was a sophomore in college.
“Jealous of where he’s at compared to where I was at 19,” Leahy said.
Here is how Sunday’s game broke down:
High: Chris Roycroft allowed one hit with two strikeouts in his inning of work. He has not allowed a run in his three innings this spring.
Low: The Cardinals were held to only one hit, a fifth-inning single by Yohel Pozo.
At the plate: Ivan Herrera made his first start of the spring behind the plate and worked three innings. No runners attempted to steal on him, but he did try to back-pick a runner at first and made it a close play. He was 0-of-2 at the plate … The Cardinals did draw five walks but had only two at-bats with a runner in scoring position. Their only run came in the fifth on an error, Pozo’s hit, a walk and a double-play grounder.
On the mound: Leahy worked 2 1/3 innings, allowing four hits and four runs while walking three and striking out one. “I expect a lot out of myself and I’m not satisfied with where I am,” Leahy said. “There’s still a few weeks of spring training left but I’ve got a lot of work to do.” … Brycen Mautz worked 2 1/3 innings and allowed one run, striking out three … JoJo Romero allowed a run on one hit in his inning of work.
Worth noting: Six players left camp on Sunday to join their teams beginning to train for the World Baseball Classic. Thomas Saggese and Gordon Graceffo will play for Italy, Leo Bernal for Panama, Luis Gastelum for Mexico, Matt Koperniak for Great Britain and Bryan Torres for Puerto Rico. In the 2022 WBC, the Cardinals had 17 players involved in the tournament, creating a major disruption in the team’s camp.
Up next: The Cardinals will play the Marlins again on Monday. Andre Pallante will get the start.
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