The Pittsburgh Pirates are calling up baseball’s top prospect, Konnor Griffin, ahead of Friday's home opener as the two sides negotiate a record-setting deal.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are calling up the No. 1 prospect in baseball, and he’s not even 20 years old. Shortstop Konnor Griffin is set to debut for the Pirates on Friday against the Baltimore Orioles, becoming the first teenage position player to do so since Juan Soto in 2018. Pittsburgh optioned Griffin to start the year, which gave them time to make headway on a potential long-term extension, targeting April 9 as his arrival date. The two sides are currently engaged in talks for a record contract.
Griffin slashed 333/.415/.527 with 21 home runs and 65 stolen bases across three levels in 2024. The No. 9 overall pick in 2024 posted a .438/.571/.625 slash line with three doubles and three stolen bases in five games with Triple-A Indianapolis before the call-up.
It puts Griffin in rare company alongside Soto, Bryce Harper, and Mike Trout as the most significant players to debut as teenagers this century. His promotion is certainly motivated by the prospect promotion incentive, which necessitated him joining the Pirates before a deal is done. If he spends a full 172 days on the 26-man roster, they become eligible for that incentive. If Griffin wins Rookie of the Year or finishes top three in MVP or Cy Young voting in his first three seasons, the Pirates earn a first-round draft pick – something they missed out on when Paul Skenes was kept in the minor leagues and went on to win Rookie of the Year in 2024.
Here is the full story from Pirates Roundtable writer John Perotto on the major news ahead of Friday’s home opener.
Griffin adds to a roster that can potentially contend, with ace Paul Skenes headlining a rotation that includes budding star Bubba Chandler, one complemented by a revamped lineup. Now, the question is whether they can get a long-term deal done.