The Pittsburgh Pirates are gearing up for their first Spring Training game of 2026 against the Baltimore Orioles this Saturday. All eyes are on Konnor Griffin, the top prospect who might just get his first taste of big league pitching this year, with a real shot at making the Pirates' Opening Day roster.
Griffin, only 19 years old, is already making waves. Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette recently highlighted just how impressive Griffin is, emphasizing the buzz surrounding this young shortstop.
Mackey shared his insights in a recent column, noting that "the Griffin hype is real." He described how Griffin's batting practice sessions have become must-see events at Pirate City, with the young prospect launching balls that hit several buildings. One standout moment was when Griffin cleared the batter’s eye with a homer estimated at over 450 feet-a feat Mackey hadn't seen anyone else achieve there.
Griffin, the ninth overall draft pick, wrapped up the 2025 season with some eye-catching stats: 21 home runs, 94 RBIs, and 65 stolen bases, alongside a .333/.415/.527 slash line over 122 games across Low-A Bradenton, High-A Greensboro, and Double-A Altoona.
Mackey noted that Griffin has excelled at every level so far, and now it's time to see how he performs in actual games. The excitement around this young talent is palpable, and fans will be keenly watching to see if he can secure a spot on the Opening Day roster.