The Pittsburgh Pirates have the best prospect of baseball, and his name is Konnor Griffin.
Griffin, 19, was the No. 8 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft and he made the most of his opportunity in his rookie season in the minor leagues. Griffin made it all the way to Double-A Altoona and played well at every level, giving him a shot to make the Opening Day roster with a good Spring Training showcase. MLB.com writer Jonathan Mayo gives Griffin 50/50 odds to make the team for Opening Day.
“He’s 19. He played
one year of pro ball and just barely played above A-ball. However, he had one of the best seasons in Minor League Baseball ever, especially for a teenager. A 20/60 season, making it to Double-A. He’s going to get a very long look. There’s not a shortstop that’s better or blocking him. I would love for the Pirates to break camp with him, but I’m not convinced they will. I will say that he’s in competition,” Mayo wrote.
The Pirates gain more years of team control if they keep Griffin in the minor leagues, but if he is one of the best players in the organization and he’s ready for the show, he should get the call-up. However, the Pirates may not want to skip a step or two.
“You look at this history of how they treated Paul Skenes and Bubba Chandler the last two years. I know they may be a little more in contention this year. I don’t think they’re inclined to break camp with him, but he’s so talented that I can’t rule it out,” MLB.com contributor Jim Callis wrote.
Griffin’s talent speaks for itself. He is a prodigy that could emerge into one of the best players in baseball someday. The Pirates just have to make sure they hit the right buttons, one of which could mean a call-up to start the season.
BD community, would you want to see Griffin on the Opening Day roster? Chime off in the comments section below.
