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Pirates promote Konnor Griffin amid contract talks
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- Pirates promote Konnor Griffin amid contract talks
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The Pittsburgh Pirates have high expectations to start the 2026 season, and have a 3-3 record to start the campaign. Coming out of spring training, they upset some fans with a controversial roster decision. But before the home opener, the Pirates have promoted top prospect Konnor Griffin.
The Pirates announced the promotion with a video of Griffin pulling on the black Pittsburgh hat. ESPN's Jeff Passan was among the reporters to confirm the video meant what everyone hoped it did . "The Pittsburgh Pirates are calling up Konnor Griffin, the No. 1 prospect in baseball, ahead of Friday's home opener. He'll start at shortstop. And if he remains with the team the rest of the season, they're eligible to receive a draft pick through the Prospect Promotion Incentive."
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Griffin flew through the Pirates' minor leagues in 2025, his first year of professional ball. He played 50 games in A ball, 51 games in High-A, and 21 games in AA. All put together, he crused 21 homers, knocked in 94 runs, and posted a .942 OPS. Before even playing a game, there have been extension talks between Griffin and the Buccos .
Griffin had a chance to make the Pirates out of spring training, but did not break through in the exhibition season. But it only took five games of AAA, where he went 7-for-16, for Pittsburgh to realize their mistake. Less than two years after taking him ninth overall, Griffin is making his Pirates debut.
After a sloppy series against the New York Mets to start , the Buccos took two of three against the Cincinnati Reds . They welcome the Baltimore Orioles to PNC Park for their home opener on Friday. Their big free-agent acquisition this offseason was Ryan O'Hearn, who was previously with Baltimore.
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Related: Pirates ace Paul Skenes 'fired up' for Konnor Griffin's MLB debut
