Pirates' Konnor Griffin: Could compete for shortstop job
Rotowire
The Pirates are "strongly considering" giving Griffin the opportunity to win their starting shortstop job, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
The No. 9 overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, Griffin slashed .333/.415/.527 with 21 home runs and 65 stolen bases across three levels in 2025 in his first professional season, finishing the year at Double-A Altoona. Griffin will not turn 20 until late April, and the last teenage position player to debut in the big leagues was Juan Soto in 2018. The Pirates have a clear opening at shortstop, though, and the organization is sending signals that it wants to surround ace Paul Skenes with more talent. Griffin's stock in redraft leagues will soar if it looks like the Pirates will indeed give him a real chance to crack the Opening Day roster.
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Pirates' Konnor Griffin: Heading to Double-A
Rotowire
The Pirates promoted Griffin from High-A Greensboro to Double-A Altoona on Sunday, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Griffin will receive his second promotion of the season after a dominant showing during his time in the South Atlantic League. Over 51 games with Greensboro, Griffin slashed .325/.432/.510 with seven home runs and 33 stolen bases across 234 plate appearances. Since being selected with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, the 19-year-old shortstop has quickly established himself as arguably baseball's top prospect, and he could be on track to make his MLB debut at some point in 2026.
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Pirates' Konnor Griffin: Looking like future star
Rotowire
Griffin is slashing .312/.414/.505 with four home runs and 14 steals in 24 games for High-A Greensboro.
Griffin has 13 homers and 40 steals in 74 games across Single-A and High-A in his first pro season after getting selected ninth overall in last year's draft. A 6-foot-4 shortstop who has also played eight games in center field, Griffin is an elite athlete who seems to be getting better as a hitter as the season goes on. He had a 22.9 percent strikeout rate and 6.5 percent walk rate in 50 games at Single-A and has a 19.8 percent strikeout rate and 11.7 percent walk rate so far at High-A. Once Roman Anthony graduates, Griffin will have a strong case for being the No. 1 overall prospect for dynasty leagues.
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Pirates' Konnor Griffin: Moving up to High-A
Rotowire
The Pirates are set to promote Griffin from Single-A Bradenton to High-A Greensboro during the upcoming week, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
The No. 9 overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, Griffin is ready for a stiffer challenge after an excellent showing in the Florida State League to begin the season. Over his 50 games with Bradenton, the 19-year-old shortstop slashed .338/.396/.536 with nine home runs and 26 stolen bases.
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Pirates' Konnor Griffin: Power, speed at Single-A
Rotowire
Griffin is hitting .253 with five home runs, 11 steals, a 5.6 percent walk rate and a 30.8 percent strikeout rate in 23 games for Single-A Bradenton.
A premium 6-foot-4, 225-pound athlete who has started 15 games at shortstop and four games in center field so far this season, Griffin has essentially performed up to expectations, showcasing plus power, plus-plus speed and a hit tool that needs some work. While his 0.18 BB/K is far from ideal and he's got seven strikeouts in his last four games, Griffin's strengths have overshadowed his weaknesses in the early going.
