Pirates Must Set Precedent with Konnor Griffin Extension
p/c: Harrison Barden
The Pittsburgh Pirates begin Grapefruit League play next Saturday, as they take on the Baltimore Orioles in Sarasota.
This offseason had the Pirates being more aggressive to improve the offense than usual, with the additions of Brandon Lowe, Ryan O’Hearn, and Marcell Ozuna.
One of the most interesting, and quite frankly, most watched developments this spring will surround Konnor Griffin, and whether he will make the Opening Day roster.
Griffin took the baseball world by storm last year, in his first professional season, as he combined to slash .333/.415/.527 with the Bradenton Marauders, Greensboro Grasshoppers, and Altoona Curve. The 2024 first rounder hit 21 home runs, while stealing a whopping, 65 bases, which were the most by a Pirates minor league player since Omar Moreno in 1974.
Although Griffin’s offensive profile has been heavily praised, and deservedly so, his glove work at shortstop is just as impressive - being named a 2025 Gold Glove recipient among MiLB shortstops.
Griffin is now the #1 prospect in all of minor league baseball from every major baseball publication. There’s been plenty of talk among Pirates fans and media about the team locking up Griffin early.
Last August, a pair of top prospects were given long-term extensions by their respective clubs. The Baltimore Orioles signed Samuel Basallo to an eight-year deal for $67 million, while the Boston Red Sox inked Roman Anthony for eight years worth $130 million. Griffin is just as talented as both Basallo and Anthony, so there’s no reason why Griffin would be any different.
Even if Griffin doesn’t make the team out of spring training, and reports to AAA Indianapolis, he would still be called up at some point. As long as Griffin holds his own at the big league level as a rookie, then the Pirates need to sign him long-term by the end of the season, especially since Griffin isn’t a Scott Boras client.
If the Pirates are serious about building a better offense and making Griffin a franchise cornerstone for years to come, then they have to set a precedent, for what potentially could be superstar level talent at shortstop.