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Pirates Calling Up Konnor Griffin for Home Opener

The Pittsburgh Pirates are bringing up their top prospect to PNC Park.
Dominic Campbell|
Mar 1, 2026; Jupiter, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin (75) celebrates 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
Mar 1, 2026; Jupiter, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin (75) celebrates 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

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Pittsburgh Pirates

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have the best prospect in baseball in Konnor Griffin and they're finally giving him the chance to help them out in the most important way.

The Pirates announced that they are calling up Griffin ahead of their Home Opener vs. the Baltimore Orioles on April 3, with the 19-year old getting a chance to make his MLB debut in front of a packed crowd at PNC Park.

Griffin is the consensus top prospect in baseball and will have the chance to become the Pirates starting shortstop for the forseeable future.

The Pirates took Griffin with the ninth overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft out of Jackson Preparatory School in Jackson, Miss. and he starred in 2025, moving up from Single-A Bradenton to Double-A Altoona.

The Pirates are 3-3 to start 2026 and now have their best young talent to help lead them to the postseason for the first time in a decade.

What Konnor Griffin Brings to the Pirates

Griffin showed that he could do just about anything last season, as he slashed 333/.415/.527 for an OPS of .942 in 122 games this season, with 161 hits, 23 doubles, four triples, 21 home runs, 94 RBI, 50 walks to 122 strikeouts and 65 stolen bases on 13 attempts.

He spent most of Spring Training in Major League Camp, but began his season with Triple-A Indianapolis and slashed .438/.571/.625 for an OPS of 1.196 in five games.

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin
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

Many Pirates fans wanted Griffin on the Opening Day roster, as he brings great contact and power, a strong arm and terrific glove work at shortstop and incredible speed, but he hit .171 in Spring Training and didn't get that chance.

Griffin turns 20 years old on April 24, but already looks like an incredible athlete, standing 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, making him an unusually early-bloomer that can handle repsonsibilities at the major league level.

He is also quite mature for his age, spending most of his time working on his swing and improving his game, plus is also married to his high school sweetheart.

The Pirates and Griffin have also held contract extension talks, which could result in him becoming the face of the franchise even sooner than anticipated, not just with his great play, but by signing his future to a city that can't wait to watch him play.

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Dominic Campbell
DOMINIC CAMPBELL

Dominic writes for Pittsburgh Pirates On SI, Pittsburgh Panthers Pn SI and also, Pittsburgh Steelers On SI. A Pittsburgh native, Dominic grew up watching Pittsburgh Sports and wrote for The Pitt News as an undergraduate at the University of Pittsburgh, covering Pitt Athletics. He would write for Pittsburgh Sports Now after college and has years of experience covering sports across Pittsburgh.

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