Konnor Griffin on Pirates Opening Day Roster: Case Against and (Stronger) Case For
Opening Day is just over two weeks away and the biggest storyline surrounding the Pittsburgh Pirates this spring still remains — Will top prospect Konnor Griffin make the club’s initial roster?
No determination has been made one way or another and the decision could very well come down to the wire. There are 13 games remaining on the Pirates’ Grapefruit League schedule before the team heads to New York for their opening series against the Mets.
A case can be reasonably be made for both sides of the argument, though, the case for the uber prospect making the roster seems stronger. Let’s examine both.
The Case Against
There’s no denying Griffin’s talent. At only 19 years old, there’s not a thing on the field he can’t do. It’s rare to see a player so young possess true five-tool potential but he does. Griffin can hit, hit for power, run, field a premium position in shortstop and throw.
While all that is true, Griffin only has 122 games and not even 570 plate appearances under his belt as a professional. Only 21 of those games and 98 plate appearances have come in Double-A, and he has yet to step onto the field in Triple-A.
It’s a tall ask for anyone — even a player of Griffin’s caliber — to skip the top minor-league level and go straight to the big leagues, especially with fewer than 100 trips to the plate in Double-A. Take into consideration Griffin’s age and it’s an even larger ask.
Griffin didn’t come from college. He was drafted ninth overall in 2024 out of high school and doesn’t turn 20 years old until next month. There’s a reason no teenager has made his MLB debut on Opening Day since Ken Griffey Jr. with the Seattle Mariners in 1989.
The Case For
Griffin’s lack of experience is the biggest argument against. But when he’s played he has been flat out phenomenal. Combined between three levels last season, he slashed .333/.415/.527 with 23 doubles, four triples, 21 home runs, 94 RBI and 65 stolen bases. Not only that, but Griffin was extremely consistent at each stop. There was no fall off despite improved competition as he climbed the ladder.
With what he’s shown on the field and considering the alternatives on the Pirates 40-man roster, Griffin is the best shortstop they have. The goal this season for Pittsburgh is to make the playoffs for the first time since 2015, and playing your best players puts you in the best position to do that.
Griffin is also having a fine spring. He’s consistently hit the ball hard despite only having a .208 batting average to show for. Although he hasn’t drawn a walk yet, he’s hit three home runs, has eight RBI and a .894 OPS. The biggest takeaway is that he’s look competent against big-league competition, and that might serve as the biggest argument in his favor.
The Pirates will say they will do what’s best for the player, but one other factor to consider is the chance of draft pick compensation via the Prospect Promotion Incentive. When Paul Skenes won Rookie of the Year in 2024, the Pirates didn’t get rewarded with a pick since he was not called up until May.
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