The Pittsburgh Pirates promoting Konnor Griffin to make his major league debut in the home opener was the talk of the baseball world Thursday, and with good reason.
The 19-year-old shortstop is the consensus No. 1 prospect in the game, has dominated every level of the minor leagues and is being touted as a can’t-miss superstar because of his five-tool talent.
One of the analysts raving about Griffin was the MLB Network’s Mark DeRosa, who was the manager of Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. DeRosa expects Griffin to have a major impact on the Pirates.
“He changes what they’re about,” DeRosa said on “MLB Central.” “Listen, he could struggle, but eventually he is going to figure it out and he is going to be a franchise pillar for this organization.”
DeRosa is impressed with the 6-foot-3, 222-pound Griffin and excited to see his debut against the Baltimore Orioles at 4:12 p.m. Friday at PNC Park.
“I had never seen an athlete look like this,” DeRosa said. “Pirates game just got a lot more interesting.”
Griffin batted .333/.415/.527 with 23 doubles, four triples, 21 home runs, 94 RBIs, 117 runs scored and 65 stolen bases across three levels of the minor leagues in his first professional season, starting at Low-A Bradenton and finishing at Double-A Altoona.
"His ceiling is Gold Glove caliber, but I'd say it's more likely that he's just above average."@JJCoop36 details what we can expect from Konnor Griffin at shortstop… pic.twitter.com/pMgpvJwMJk
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) April 2, 2026
Not only was Griffin named Baseball America’s minor league player of the year but the converted center fielder won a Rawlings MiLB Gold Glove award at shortstop after committing only three errors.
“I would say his ceiling is Gold Glove-caliber but I would say it’s more likely that he’s just above-average,” Baseball America editor-in-chief JJ Cooper said on the “Foul Territory” podcast. “His ceiling is there because he does have a cannon of an arm, he is athletic. I really keep using the comp that it’s like using a Mike Trout body if Mike Trout didn’t move to the outfield … with enough agility and quick enough of a first step to work.”
After going 7 for 16 with three doubles, four runs scored, one RBI, five walks and four strikeouts in five games at Triple-A Indianapolis, compiling an absurd .438/.571/.625 slash line, the Pirates decided it was time to bring Griffin to the majors.
MLB Now discusses the Pirates' path to the Postseason following news that they're promoting baseball's top prospect, Konnor Griffin. https://t.co/sO4WWwRwF0pic.twitter.com/5wdcubXQlN
— MLB Now (@MLBNow) April 2, 2026
“It just makes perfect sense to let this kid come up and play,” MLB Network analyst Jake Peavy said on “MLB Now.” “When you look at the Minor League numbers, and I know most of them are under Double-A, what more is there to prove? He is the total package. He runs the bases, hits for average, he can slug. That’s something that Pittsburgh badly needs.”
ESPN reported that the Pirates are negotiating a long-term contract extension for nine years at $140 million, which would be a franchise record and make him the highest-paid player on the team.
It comes on the heels of the Seattle Mariners signing 20-year-old shortstop Colt Emerson, ranked the No. 7 prospect by MLB Pipeline, to a record eight-year, $95 million contract Wednesday before his major league debut. The deal has an option for a ninth year with escalators that could make it worth more than $130 million.
Locking up Griffin long-term gives the Pirates a building block.
“This is awesome for Pittsburgh,” MLB Network analyst Ryan Dempster said on “Intentional Talk.” “Pittsburgh has had its share of tough times. A lot of losing over the years, the rebuild, and now the future is here. If you’re a Pirates fan, I expect a full house, I expect these people to show up and be excited for something and excited for their future. I think it’s great and I can’t wait to see what this young guy does on this big stage.”