Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin, 19, will make his Major League Baseball debut in the team’s home opener against the Baltimore Orioles.
Selected ninth overall in the 2024 MLB Draft out of Jackson Prep in Mississippi, Griffin dominated the minors in 2025, hitting .333 with 21 home runs, 94 RBI, and 65 stolen bases across 122 games. He added four home runs in 16 spring training at-bats before tearing up Triple-A with seven hits in 16 plate appearances.
The Pirates, who previously held Griffin in Triple-A to manage service time, now promote him as a potential Rookie of the Year candidate. Under MLB’s 2022 Prospect Promotion Incentive, a full season of service combined with top-three MVP or Cy Young voting, or Rookie of the Year honors, could earn Pittsburgh an extra first-round draft pick - a reward the Atlanta Braves received last season for catcher Drake Baldwin.
Griffin’s blend of power, speed, and poise at such a young age makes him one of baseball’s most electrifying new talents.