On Thursday’s morning, just over 24 hours away from the team’s home opener for the 2026 season, the Pirates made the move that the baseball world has been waiting for: Konnor Griffin has been promoted to the 26-man roster.
Per MLB Pipeline, Griffin is the No. 1 prospect in all of baseball, ranked one spot ahead of Kevin McGonigle, who made the Tigers’ roster out of Spring Training, and who has been raking at the MLB level in his first week of action. It’s worth noting that McGonigle had a better Spring Training than Griffin, and that Detroit’s franchise cornerstone is nearly two full years older than his counterpart. Heck, Griffin was the ninth-overall pick out of high school in the 2024 MLB Draft. He’s only had 98 career plate appearances at Double-A and 21 PAs at Triple-A, though his is slashing an impressive .438/.571/.625 in those five games in Indianapolis.
Across three minor league levels in 2025, Griffin registered 21 long balls and 65 stolen bases. He hit .333 with a 165 wRC+. There will obviously be some hiccups as the literal teenager makes his transition to the big leagues, but the upside and potential is clear for anyone to see.
Konnor Griffin FAQs
How old is Konnor Griffin?
Griffin was born in 2006. He is currently 19-years-old, but he will turn 20 on May 24.
Who was the last teenager to play in MLB?
The last teenaged position player in the majors was Juan Soto in 2018.
What position does Konnor Griffin play?
Griffin is a shortstop, yet he also logged over 100 innings in center field during his time in the minors in 2025. He will likely replace Jared Triolo in the Pirates’ everyday lineup, with the veteran returning to his usual utility man role.
When will Konnor Griffin make his MLB debut?
While Pittsburgh will not release a lineup until Friday afternoon, there is no doubt that Griffin will be starting for the Pirates against the Orioles tomorrow. It’s Opening Day at PNC Park. This will be a celebration.
When was Konnor Griffin drafted?
Griffin was selected ninth-overall in the 2024 MLB Draft by the Pirates out of Jackson Prep School in Mississippi. His signing bonus was $6,532,025.
Should I pick up Konnor Griffin in my fantasy baseball league?
Yes. Though there’s a good chance he’s not available, as many people read the tea leaves and predicted he would be called up early in April. As such, there’s a chance a fellow league member has been stashing Griffin, or maybe even drafted him.
In general, Griffin’s speed makes him a very tantalizing fantasy asset. Griffin stole 65 bases in 2025, and if he can get on base at a decent clip at the MLB level, he should be a threat for 30 or 40 steals in 2026. PNC Park is a tough place to hit home runs, so I’m not sure how much power output we should be expecting from the 19-year-old, but the base paths in Pittsburgh are 90 feet. Just like everywhere else in the majors.
