Paul Skenes ‘fired up’ for Konnor Griffin’s MLB debut (1:06)Pirates star Paul Skenes joins “The Pat McAfee Show” to discuss top prospect Konnor Griffin’s upcoming debut for the Pirates. (1:06)
Jeff PassanApr 2, 2026, 11:18 AM ETMultiple Authors
At 19 years and 344 days old, Griffin, who is expected to take over starting shortstop duties for Pittsburgh, would be the first teenage position player to debut since Juan Soto in 2018.
Griffin and the Pirates are engaged in discussions on a record-setting long-term contract extension, sources told ESPN’s Buster Olney. Griffin joining the Pirates before any extension is complete would allow the team to be eligible for a potential first-round draft pick through the prospect promotion incentive.
Optioning Griffin to the minor leagues to start the year gave the sides time to make progress on a potential extension — and set a target date of April 9 for his arrival. The prospect promotion incentive necessitates a top-100 prospect spend a full season in the big leagues — 172 days on the 26-man roster — to be eligible. If he does so, the team receives a first-round pick should he win Rookie of the Year or finish in the top three in MVP or Cy Young voting in any of his first three seasons.
By keeping ace Paul Skenes in the minor leagues to begin the 2024 season, the Pirates missed out on the draft pick when Skenes won Rookie of the Year — and, for doing so, he still received a full year of service time.
Griffin only adds to that — and joins Soto, Bryce Harper and Mike Trout as the most notable players to make their big league debuts as teenagers this century.
Whether they can get a long-term deal done is the burning question going forward. Seattle signed shortstop Colt Emerson, another top-10 prospect, to an eight-year, $95 million contract despite him remaining at Triple-A. Milwaukee has been negotiating an eight-year, $50 million deal for shortstop Cooper Pratt, also at Triple-A.
McGonigle and Wetherholt also have engaged in negotiations on extensions, according to sources, though those are not currently as likely to cross the finish line as Griffin’s.
Paul Skenes ‘fired up’ for Konnor Griffin’s MLB debut (1:06)Pirates star Paul Skenes joins “The Pat McAfee Show” to discuss top prospect Konnor Griffin’s upcoming debut for the Pirates. (1:06)
Pirates star Paul Skenes joins “The Pat McAfee Show” to discuss top prospect Konnor Griffin’s upcoming debut for the Pirates. (1:06)
Pittsburgh’s pivot toward potential contention this season included its biggest dip into free agency in a generation, with the signings of first baseman/outfielder Ryan O’Hearn and designated hitter Marcell Ozuna, plus a trade for second baseman Brandon Lowe. With a rotation headlined by Skenes that includes potential star Bubba Chandler, steady veteran Mitch Keller and underrated Braxton Ashcraft, Pittsburgh coveted a lineup to match its rotation.
Jeff PassanApr 2, 2026, 11:18 AM ETMultiple Authors