Apr 25, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; A general view before the start of the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Philadelphia Phillies at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Arizona Diamondbacks Double-A first baseman, Jon Griffin, has redefined hot streak. After going 1-2 in his first two at-bats on Wednesday, he came to the plate four more times, homering in each at-bat.
A four home run game is always noteworthy, what he did on Thursday made it even more impressive. He drew a walk in his first trip to the plate, but homered in his next time up, giving him five home runs in five official at-bats.
In the sixth inning, he finally grounded out ending his streak. The five home runs account for half of the long balls he has hit this season.
The 6’6″ Griffin was a 21st round selection by the Diamondbacks in the 2011 draft after being selected in the 41st and 45th rounds in the 2007 and 2008 drafts by the Twins and Red Sox respectively.
Griffin has flashed plenty of power in his three seasons coming into this year, hitting 28 home runs in 2012. In 2013, between High-A and Double-A, he managed only ten home runs in 103 games, a total he has matched in just his 41st game of the season.
Griffin is clearly blocked in the big leagues with by a guy named Paul Goldschmidt, and he has never been considered much of a prospect, but his power certainly has the ability to change that.