rewrite this title Konnor Griffin raises excitement for future with first spring training HR

MLB No. 1 prospect Konnor Griffin improves chances of making Opening Day roster with huge game against Boston Red Sox

The 19-year-old phenom is making a strong case to begin the 2026 season in the majors, which would put Griffin, the No. 9 overall pick of the 2024 MLB Draft, in special company. 

He climbed from Low-A to the Pirates’ Double-A team a season ago but has appeared in only 122 career minor-league games with 563 plate appearances (PAs), slashing .333/.415/.527 with 21 home runs and 65 stolen bases. As Baseball America recently reported, among the 95 position players who have made a major league roster before their 21st birthday since 1985, “They averaged 303 MiLB games and 1,294 PAs.”

Per Baseball America, Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr., Alex Rodriguez, Bryce Harper and Juan Soto are the only players as young as Griffin and with similar minor league experience (in terms of games played and plate appearances) to have reached the majors during that span, and each is considered among the best in their respective generations. 

According to MLB.com, Nick Gonzalez, entering his fourth season in the big leagues, is the Pirates’ projected starting shortstop. In 2025, he slashed .260/.299/.362 while predominantly playing second base, where he received 87.5 percent of his starts.

During the offseason, the team acquired two-time All-Star second baseman Brandon Lowe from the Tampa Bay Rays in a three-team trade that also netted the Pirates outfielder Jake Mangum, who, like Griffin, went to high school at Jackson Prep in Flowood, Mississippi. 

Gonzalez might be the odd-man out in the infield if Griffin continues to impress. It’s only a matter of time before the burgeoning star gets his chance, and he might be able to elevate a Pirates lineup that has potential to be much better than the poor 2025 version.

Pittsburgh ranked last in the majors in runs scored (3.6 per game) and home runs (117) while posting the third-worst team batting average (.231) a season ago, but the team added power to the lineup with Lowe, 2025 All-Star outfielder Ryan O’Hearn and two-time silver slugger Marcell Ozuna, the team’s expected designated hitter.

With reigning NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes anchoring the Pirates’ rotation, they need a lineup that can provide consistent run support. 

Griffin might give Pittsburgh more upside at the plate, and he’ll have to continue to prove himself the rest of spring training for manager Don Kelly to give him the big promotion to start the regular season.

If not now, it will be soon enough.