BREAKING: Pirates Sign Konnor Griffin to Nine-Year Extension
Konnor Griffin will be calling Pittsburgh home for a while.
The Pirates have signed the game’s top prospect to a nine-year, $140 million extension that runs through the 2034 season. Escalators can push the max value of the deal to $150 million.
“Signing Konnor is a meaningful commitment to this team, this city and our fans. It reflects our belief in Konnor, in this season’s club and in the future of our organization,” said Pirates Chairman Bob Nutting. “Konnor represents everything we value in a player – exceptional talent, strong character, a team-first mentality and a maturity that stood out to all of us from the beginning. He is the right person, from the right family. This is another important step in the work we have been doing to build a winning team, for this year and going forward.”
Griffin was called up by the Pirates ahead of their 2026 home opener on Friday, becoming the first teenage position player to debut in the big leagues since Juan Soto with the Washington Nationals 2018.
The 19-year-old has played five games at shortstop for the Pirates to begin his career and has three hits in 17 at-bats. Griffin stroked an RBI double in his first big-league plate appearance and collected two more hits and drove in a pair of runs in the Pirates’ 7-1 win over the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night at PNC Park.
The Pirates selected Griffin with the ninth pick in the 2024 draft. He made his professional debut last season and climbed from Low-A Bradenton all the way to Double-A Altoona. Combined between three levels, Griffin hit .333 with a .941 OPS, 23 doubles, four triples, 21 home runs, 94 RBI, 65 stolen bases and won a minor league Gold Glove at shortstop.
Griffin started the 2026 season in Triple-A Indianapolis and hit .438 with a 1.196 OPS before his promotion to Pittsburgh. He’s considered the top prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline, Baseball America and ESPN.
The contract, which is the largest commitment in franchise history, is also the largest salary guarantee ever given to a prospect.
“Since joining the organization, Konnor has consistently demonstrated the traits we want in a Pirate – a daily commitment to improvement, a team-first mindset and a strong desire to win,” said Pirates General Manager Ben Cherington. “He has met every challenge in front of him, and we are excited to watch him continue that growth alongside his teammates in Pittsburgh. We are thrilled he will be with a Pirate for a long time.”
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Let’s GO!!!
Now figure out something creative to get Skenes extended for a couple of his FA years.
Is this contract 15.5 million each year? Or does it escalate each yea, 5, 10, 10, 15, 15, 15, 20, 20, 25? Spotrac has it at 15.5 each year. Either way i like the deal for the Pirates.