The Pittsburgh Pirates have been one of the more intriguing teams to watch lately-not just for what they’re doing at the big-league level, but for what’s brewing beneath the surface. Paul Skenes, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, has already shown what happens when top-tier talent meets opportunity.
He arrived with sky-high expectations and, if anything, has exceeded them. Now, there's a new name commanding attention in the Steel City: Konnor Griffin.
Griffin isn’t just the Pirates’ top prospect-he’s the No. 1 prospect in all of baseball heading into the 2026 season. That’s a big label, and it comes with even bigger expectations.
Drafted ninth overall in 2024, Griffin turned heads with a monster 2025 season that saw him slash .333/.415/.527, launch 21 home runs, drive in 94 runs, and swipe 65 bases over 122 games. He climbed all the way to Double-A and looked every bit like a future franchise cornerstone.
But here’s where things get complicated: as much as fans would love to see Griffin break camp with the big-league club, history suggests the Pirates might take a more measured approach. Pittsburgh has a reputation for slow-playing its top prospects-Skenes included-regardless of how ready they appear. That means Griffin could very well start the year in the minors, even if he lights up spring training.
One of the key roster battles to watch will be at shortstop, where Griffin will be pushing to unseat Nick Gonzales. Gonzales, a former top-10 pick himself, has yet to fully establish himself at the MLB level, but he’s still in the mix. The front office may want to give him one more shot to prove he belongs, especially if they believe Griffin could benefit from just a bit more seasoning.
The big question? How long can Gonzales hold off the inevitable?
Griffin’s rise has been fast and loud, and if he continues to perform the way he did last season, it’s only a matter of time before the Pirates are forced to make room for him. Whether that’s in April, June, or later in the summer, the writing’s on the wall: Griffin is coming.
For Pirates fans, it’s a test of patience. The excitement is real, and the desire to see the next big thing in black and gold is understandable.
But sometimes, waiting just a little longer can pay off in a big way. If Griffin’s development stays on track, his arrival could mark the next major step in Pittsburgh’s resurgence-and that’s worth the wait.