As Spring Training kicks off, all eyes are on top prospects, and for the Pirates' Konnor Griffin, the spotlight is intense. Baseball fans everywhere are eager to see if this young phenom will be in the starting lineup come Opening Day.
Griffin, who turns 20 in April, was the ninth overall pick in the 2024 draft and has already made waves with his stellar performance last season. His .333/.415/.527 slash line across 122 games, reaching Double-A, has earned him the title of top prospect in the sport. Comparisons to legends like Mike Trout and Bobby Witt Jr. are flying, with experts like The Athletic’s Keith Law and FanGraphs’ Eric Longenhagen singing his praises.
With such hype, it’s no wonder Griffin is in the conversation for a spot on the Pirates' Opening Day roster, despite his youth. The Pirates seem open to the idea, providing Griffin the chance to earn his place. Current players Nick Gonzales and Jared Triolo don’t pose a significant obstacle, and Griffin is making the most of his opportunity, already hitting two homers in his first ten spring at-bats.
However, Griffin's inexperience is a factor. With just 122 professional games under his belt, he would be among the fastest to make it to the majors. For context, Bobby Witt Jr. and Juan Soto had more minor league experience before their big league debuts.
The Pirates are clearly aiming to compete this year, adding players like Ryan O’Hearn, Brandon Lowe, and Marcell Ozuna to strengthen their offense. With reigning Cy Young winner Paul Skenes only under control for a few more years, maximizing Griffin’s potential while Skenes is still around is crucial.
Service time considerations also play a role. Delaying Griffin's debut by a few weeks could grant the Pirates an extra year of team control. However, the case of Skenes, who was promoted in May and still secured a full year of service, shows the potential benefits of starting a prospect on Opening Day.
Griffin's openness to a contract extension could change the service time calculus. An agreement could negate these concerns, although timing is key. The Pirates might wait until after Griffin's debut to finalize any extension, as signing before can affect potential draft pick incentives.
The decision on Griffin’s Opening Day status is a hot topic among fans. Will he start in the majors, or will the Pirates play it safe with more time in the minors?
The outcome might hinge on how extension talks progress this spring. Whatever the case, Griffin’s journey is one to watch closely.