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Pittsburgh Pirates teenager dubbed ‘best in years’ gets $140 million contract update ahead of MLB debut
Konnor Griffin will step onto PNC Park’s field on Friday.
At just 19-years-old, and with just one full season of professional baseball under his belt, the Pittsburgh Pirates have made the decision to call Griffin up to the Major Leagues.
He will become the first teenager to make his MLB debut since Juan Soto with the Washington Nationals in 2018.
The Pirates drafted Griffin in the first round of the 2024 MLB Draft, and he immediately took off.
Across three levels in the minor leagues last season, he slashed .333/.415/.527, tallying 161 hits, 21 home runs and 94 RBI’s.
After that incredible professional debut season, ESPN’s Buster Olney reported that the Pirates and Griffin were ‘deep into negotiations’ on an extension.
On the eve of his debut, Onley reported that the contract figure will be $140 million, but both parties are still working on finalizing a deal.
The two sides have been talking since early spring, with the Pirates proposal in the range of the eight-year, $111 million deal that Corbin Carroll signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
But Griffin’s side have been angling for a deal closer to Roman Anthony’s eight-year, $130 million deal that he signed with the Boston Red Sox last August.
The Pirates seemingly being prepared to now go almost $30 million above their valuation shows just how excited about the youngster they are.
“Griffin is the best prospect baseball has seen in years,” ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel wrote.
“He is a plus-plus runner with a plus-plus arm and, in the past year, he went from profiling as a possibly average defensive shortstop who could eventually move to the outfield, to an above-average defensive shortstop.
“He also has plus-plus raw power, fueled by electric bat speed and his 6-foot-3, 222-pound frame.”
It’s no surprise they increased their offer. The 19-year-old almost forced the Pirates’ hand out of Spring Training, where he slugged four home runs and played solid shortstop.
Pittsburgh opted to send MLB’s No.1 prospect to Triple-A to begin the season, and it didn’t take long for him to convince the front office that he belongs in MLB.
In five games in Triple-A, he hit .438 with three doubles and three stolen bases.
Pirates phenom Paul Skenes reacts to Griffin call-up
Even without Griffin on the roster the Pirates are off to a solid start in 2026.
With a record of 3-3, they just secured their first series win of the year, taking two of three against the Cincinnati Reds on the road.
Griffin will make his MLB debut in front of his own fans when the Pirates host the Baltimore Orioles over the weekend.
Phenom Paul Skenes isn’t slated to pitch in the series, but he recently joined The Pat McAfee Show to express his excitement about Griffin being called up.
“Yeah, I am fired up,” Skenes said.
“If Bucco’s fans needed anything else to get excited for the home opener, this was it.
“He’s the most mature 19 year old you are ever going to meet in your life, and the play speaks for itself.
“He’s gonna bring in a lot of energy, and the skillset to Pittsburgh that obviously is exciting.”
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