When the Pittsburgh Pirates were paired with the Detroit Tigers for the Spring Breakout, it was supposed to showcase baseball’s top two prospects in shortstops Konnor Griffin and Kevin McGonigle.
That neither McGonigle nor Pirates right-hander Bubba Chandler (ranked No. 15) are on their team’s respective rosters for the MLB showcase at 7:35 p.m. Friday at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Fla., takes some of the shine off the showcase event.
But there still will be five top-50 prospects in the exhibition.
“The Pirates have always been great about letting their top prospects shine in this event since its inception, starting with letting (Paul) Skenes face Jackson Holliday in the very first event to get the ball rolling on this thing,” said MLB Pipeline analyst Jonathan Mayo, who will be involved in the broadcast on MLB Network. “The Pirates are still stacked.”
The marquee matchup now involves Griffin against another top-10 prospect in Tigers outfielder Max Clark. Where Griffin batted .333/.415/.527 with 23 doubles, four triples, 21 home runs and 94 RBIs across three levels to win minor league player of the year honors last season, Clark is one of the most promising outfielders in the game.
The 21-year-old center fielder, who was the No. 3 pick of the 2023 MLB Draft, batted .271/.403/.432 with 17 doubles, five triples, 14 home runs and 67 RBIs and finished last season at Double-A Erie.
“They’re both very, very young with as much as ceiling as you want to put on them,” Mayo said. “Konnor’s a half-step ahead, in terms of proximity to the big leagues, although they both finished in Double-A last year. I think they both have a chance to impact their big-league teams this year, and the sky is the limit for both of them. They have the ability to impact the game in every way possible.
“Max doesn’t have the same amount of power, but there’s some pop in there. They are both the prototypical, toolsy prospects who can do everything well. And they are the type to work really hard. They don’t just show up and let their athletic ability take over. They put in the work, so when they get to the big leagues they’re able to impact it right away.”
In addition to Griffin, the Pirates will feature their 2025 first-round draft pick in 19-year-old right-hander Seth Hernandez, who is their No. 3 prospect and ranked No. 29 overall by MLB Pipeline. They are two of the top teenagers in baseball and could be teammates sooner than later.
Hernandez is considered advanced, with an unusual combination of feel and stuff. His fastball is reportedly sitting at 98 mph and has touched triple digits, and he has plus pitches in a changeup and curveball, along with a hard slider. Mayo doesn’t expect Hernandez to take a typical pitching path to the majors.
“To see Griffin and Seth Hernandez on the same field is a treat,” Mayo said. “Whether you’re someone who writes about them or just likes looking at rankings, to see two of the best prospects in baseball, both teenagers, on the field at the same time, it’s fun to dream about that happening in Pittsburgh in the future.”
Even though 19-year-old outfielder Edward Florentino (No. 50) isn’t playing, Mayo is intrigued by another pair of teenage Pirates prospects in 18-year-old shortstop Darrell Morel and 19-year-old right-hander Levi Sterling.
Detroit, which will be managed by Hall of Famer Alan Trammell, also will feature shortstop Bryce Rainer (No. 38) and their top international signing in 18-year-old outfielder Cris Rodriguez.
“From a high-end prospect standpoint, it’s still one of the marquee games,” Mayo said. “Beyond that, guys who are 20 to 30 on top 30 lists still often make it to the big leagues or make big jumps in the rankings.
“You never know who is going to take that step forward and become one of the better prospects in the game. And prospects end up being big leaguers. This is a chance to see them early.”