The buzz in Pittsburgh is real-and for once, it’s not just about potential. The Pirates are heading into the 2026 season with something they haven’t had in a while: momentum.
Let’s start with what’s already in place. Paul Skenes, fresh off his NL Cy Young campaign, is back to anchor the rotation.
Oneil Cruz, one of the most electric centerfielders in the game, returns as a cornerstone of this roster. But it’s the moves made this offseason that have fans talking-and for good reason.
The Pirates didn’t just tinker around the edges. They went out and added real firepower.
All-Star second baseman Brandon Lowe brings left-handed pop and postseason experience. First baseman Ryan O’Hearn, also an All-Star, adds a reliable bat and veteran presence.
And then there’s Marcel Ozuna-three-time All-Star and one of the more dangerous designated hitters in the league. Suddenly, this lineup looks a whole lot deeper and a whole lot scarier.
But perhaps the most intriguing storyline heading into spring training? The shortstop battle-and the name on everyone’s lips is Konnor Griffin.
At just 19 years old, Griffin isn’t just another promising young player. He’s the consensus top prospect in all of baseball, and he’s already knocking on the door of the big leagues. Drafted ninth overall in 2024 straight out of high school, Griffin’s rise through the minors has been nothing short of meteoric.
His numbers last season were eye-popping: 21 home runs, 94 RBIs, and 65 stolen bases across 122 games. He slashed an impressive .333/.415/.527 while climbing three levels-from Low-A Bradenton to Double-A Altoona. That’s not just production; that’s domination.
Now, he’s in the mix for Pittsburgh’s starting shortstop job. Standing in his way is 26-year-old Nick Gonzales, who brings more experience but hasn’t fully locked down the position. It’s shaping up to be one of the most compelling position battles of the spring.
Griffin, for his part, is saying all the right things.
“That would be pretty special,” he said when asked about the possibility of starting on Opening Day. “But like I said, still got a long way to go until then. Got to continue to grow as a player and try to be a sponge every single day and learn from the guys every single day.”
That mindset-humble, hungry, and focused-is exactly what you want to hear from a young player on the cusp of the majors. He’s not getting caught up in the hype.
He’s not penciling himself into the lineup. He’s putting in the work.
“I try not to think about it too much,” he added. “I just try to be myself and be in the moment, be present, take it day by day, and just try to grow as a player.
We still have a month, month and a half, until games actually start. So got a lot of time to grow and be prepared for whatever comes.”
Whether Griffin breaks camp with the big-league club or not, it’s clear he’s part of the Pirates’ near future-and maybe even their immediate one. And if he continues to perform the way he did last season, it won’t be long before he’s making an impact at PNC Park.
Add it all up-an ace on the mound, a reloaded lineup, and the top prospect in baseball pushing for a starting job-and you’ve got a Pirates team that isn’t just rebuilding anymore. They’re building something real.