The Pittsburgh Pirates might not be penciled in as World Series favorites just yet, but there’s a different kind of buzz building around the team heading into 2026 - and it centers on a name Pirates fans are getting very familiar with: Konnor Griffin.
At just 20 years old, Griffin is already carrying the hopes of a franchise that’s been searching for a cornerstone talent to build around. And if the projections are even close to accurate, the Pirates might have struck gold. According to ESPN’s David Schoenfield, Griffin isn’t just expected to make the Opening Day roster - he’s being predicted to have one of the best rookie seasons we’ve seen in a long time.
Let’s unpack that for a second. Schoenfield’s prediction?
A Rookie of the Year campaign “for the ages,” anchored by a 3-WAR season. That kind of production from a 20-year-old isn’t just impressive - it’s rare air.
Since the start of the wild-card era, only 14 position players that young have posted a 3-WAR season. That’s a short list, and it’s filled with names that went on to become stars.
Now, projections are one thing. But what makes Griffin such a compelling breakout candidate is that the numbers back up the hype.
Across three levels of the minors last season - Single-A, High-A, and Double-A - he slashed .333 with a .942 OPS in 122 games. That’s not just good, that’s elite.
And it wasn’t just empty numbers - Griffin showed the kind of all-around game that makes scouts and front offices drool. He’s fast, he’s got pop, he plays defense, and he carries himself like someone who belongs.
What makes this even more intriguing is the timing. Griffin would still be just 19 years old on Opening Day - a bold age to debut, no doubt.
But the Pirates have shown a willingness to be aggressive with their top talent, and Griffin might just force their hand. If he keeps showing the polish and production he flashed in the minors, it’ll be hard to justify keeping him off the big-league roster.
And for Pittsburgh, there’s a lot riding on a player like this. The Pirates have been in rebuild mode for years, and while they’ve made some offseason moves to bolster the roster, the real needle-mover is internal development. Griffin isn’t just a top prospect - he could be the kind of player that reshapes the trajectory of the franchise.
A 3-WAR rookie season would be a dream start, but more than that, it would signal that the Pirates finally have a young star who can grow into a franchise centerpiece. If Griffin’s minor league success translates to the majors - and that’s always the big question - Pittsburgh might finally have the kind of foundational player that can help turn potential into postseason contention.
For now, all eyes are on Spring Training. If Griffin keeps doing what he’s been doing, don’t be surprised if he’s in the Opening Day lineup - and don’t be surprised if he makes a serious run at history once he gets there.