Baseball's future arrives in Pittsburgh. Konnor Griffin is poised to ink a record-shattering nine-year, $140 million deal with the Pirates.
Baseball’s top prospect, Konnor Griffin, is on the verge of signing the largest contract in Pittsburgh Pirates’ history.
The 19-year-old shortstop has agreed to a nine-year, $140-million contract, though some details remain to be finalized, a source told Pirates Roundtable on Thursday.
ESPN’s Buster Olney first reported the terms.
The Pirates will select Griffin’s contract from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday before they play the Baltimore Orioles in the home opener at PNC Park. On Thursday, Pittsburgh optioned outfielder Billy Cook to Indianapolis to clear a roster spot.
Bryan Reynolds signed an eight-year, $106.75-million deal running through 2030, making it the franchise’s most lucrative contract. Griffin’s deal would exceed it by over $33 million.
Griffin’s contract would also surpass the eight-year, $92 million deal Colt Emerson signed with the Seattle Mariners earlier this week, the highest for a player without big-league experience.
Griffin’s contract covers his three arbitration-eligible years and his first three free agency years. When the deal ends after 2035, Griffin will be only 29 and likely a very desirable free agent.
Griffin started strong this season, going 7 for 16 (.438) with three doubles and three stolen bases in five games. In contrast, Pirates shortstop Jared Triolo is 3-for-20 (.150) with a double over the same span.
Pittsburgh picked Griffin ninth overall in the 2024 draft after he graduated from Jackson Preparatory School in Flowood, Miss.
Griffin debuted professionally last season and ultimately earned Minor League Player of the Year honors. His .333/.415/.527 slash line, 21 home runs, and 65 stolen bases in 122 games, including stints at both Class A levels, before finishing the year with Double-A Altoona. Griffin also made just seven errors.
In 47 Grapefruit League plate appearances this spring, Griffin hit four home runs. Additionally, he slashed .171/.261/.488 with one double and one stolen base in 20 games.
Griffin spoke to reporters on March 20 as Pirates prospects played the Detroit Tigers’ prospects in a Spring Breakout game in Bradenton, Fla., before he was reassigned to minor-league camp. He was asked what he learned most from major-league camp.
“It kind of shows me that I feel prepared,” Griffin said. “I don’t feel overmatched. I don’t feel sped up. I feel prepared. That’s what I’ve been training for over the last year. It’s led to this moment. I’m ready. I’m taking each game one game at a time. Just letting my skills take over.”
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