When will the Pittsburgh Pirates call up No. 1 prospect Konnor Griffin?
It certainly feels like the 2026 season will be the year in which Konnor Griffin makes his MLB debut. However, the Pittsburgh Pirates have a massive question to answer: when will that promotion come?
It isn’t wild to think that Griffin could be in Pittsburgh’s Opening Day lineup. He had a 2025 season in the Minors, is the No. 1 prospect in baseball for good reason, and the Pirates need some depth and help on the left side of the infield.
However, MLB Insider and columnist Joel Sherman doesn’t quite think that an MLB debut right out of the gate will happen for Griffin, even if the talent is there.
“My suspicion is, though they see him as a five-tool guy… and I know the fury to bring him up when you have the number one prospect, and he's getting comps to great players. But I suspect that they'll feel more comfortable if they send him down to Triple-A and see if he gets off well,” said Sherman.
“If he does, I could see an early call up, but my gut, and from whatever little reporting I’ve done on this subject, then it is a little reporting, my guess is that they hold him back just because he's 19, I think they'll go for more, but boy, are they excited about the potential of injecting a five tool, six for four shortstop, into their lineup at some point this season.”
Aug 2, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin who was the ninth overall pick in first round of the 2024 First-Year Player Draft looks on at the batting cage before a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn ImagesUnless Griffin absolutely goes off during spring training and is having plenty of success off big-league level pitching, an MLB debut right at the start of the 2026 season might be pushing it.
There’s no denying that Griffin had a stellar first professional season. He quickly moved through Pittsburgh’s farm system and slashed .333/.415/.527 with 23 doubles and 21 home runs across Single-A, High-A, and Double-A in 2026.
With the Pirates adding proven big-league hitters Brandon Lowe, Marcell Ozuna, and Ryan O’Hearn this offseason, they’re clearly trying to complete and get back to the playoffs for the first time in over a decade.
Griffin gives the team the best chance to win come October, and that may mean starting the season in the Minors in March.
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