Konnor Griffin to Join Rare MLB Company With Juan Soto, Bryce Harper at 19

Things just got a whole lot more interesting in the National League Central.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 3-3 on the season so far, but boast one of the most intriguing young rosters in baseball, led by Paul Skenes, Bubba Chandler and Oneil Cruz, among others. Now, the club will be adding to this young core and officially calling up No. 1 prospect, 19-year-old shortstop Konnor Griffin. The Pirates made the official announcement on X.

Opening Debut. pic.twitter.com/ILemWfjIHS
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 2, 2026

Griffin is someone who has played both shortstop and center field throughout his young professional career so far down in the minors, but ESPN's Jeff Passan reported that he will be getting the start at shortstop for Pittsburgh on Friday.

"The Pittsburgh Pirates are calling up Konnor Griffin, the No. 1 prospect in baseball, ahead of Friday's home opener. He'll start at shortstop. And if he remains with the team the rest of the season, they're eligible to receive a draft pick through the Prospect Promotion Incentive."

How Konnor Griffin compares to other teenagers making MLB Debut

Mar 1, 2026; Jupiter, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin (75) rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

When Grifffin makes his debut on Friday, he will be 19 years and 344 days old. That's insanity. Most people who graduate high school do so right around the age of 18 years old. Griffin, who was selected with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft out of Jackson Preparatory School (Flowood, MS), is about the same age as a college freshman or sophomore and yet he will be playing in the big leagues on Friday. That's rare.

In comparison, Juan Soto was 19 years and 207 days old when he made his big league debut back in 2018 with the Washington Nationals. Bryce Harper was 19 years and 195 days old when he made his big league debut back in 2012 with the Washington Nationals. Julio Urías made his big league debut at 19 years old back in 2016 as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Elvis Luciano made 25 appearances with the Toronto Blue Jays back in 2019 and became the first player born in the 2000s to debut. At the time, he was 19 years and 44 days old. Didier Fuentes of the Atlanta Braves is the current youngest player in the league at 20 years and 289 days old. That will change on Friday. Now, Griffin isn't as young as Soto, Harper or Luciano were when they made their big league debuts, but debuting as a teenager is rare. He will immediately become the youngest player in the big leagues.

Where were you at 19 years old? Most likely not playing in the big leagues. But that will be the case with Griffin.