20250906, The Altoona Curve face the Richmond Flying Squirrels at Peoples Natural Gas Park in Altoona, Pennsylvania (Photos by Harrison Barden)
Konnor Griffin is the consensus top prospect in baseball after a sensational first season in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ organization.
The 2024 ninth-overall pick split the year between three levels and combined to slash .333/.415/.527 with 23 doubles, four triples, 21 home runs, 94 RBI and 65 stolen bases. Griffin was named the Honus Wagner Player of the Year as the organization’s top minor-leaguer.
Griffin is a rare breed and a player that has true five-tool potential. The 19-year-old has 70-grade run and arm tools, plus-power and is a plus-defender at shortstop.
The Pirates are open to giving Griffin a chance to crack the club’s Opening Day roster this spring despite him peaking at Double-A Altoona last season. Though it is considered more of a longshot, it can’t be totally ruled out that he could perform well enough this spring to be the starting shortstop behind Paul Skenes against the Mets in New York for the opener.
One possibility the Pirates should consider — though there is no indication of this happening just yet — is to work out a long-term extension with Griffin. This could accelerate his development and increase his chances of making the initial roster, but more importantly, it would ensure Griffin remains in a black and gold jersey long-term.
Extensions with players who have no MLB service time are rare but not unheard of. And there is an obvious comparison that can be made, one within the National League Central.
Two years ago, the Milwaukee Brewers extended outfielder Jackson Chourio, who was considered one of the game’s top prospects. At the time, Chourio was the same age as Griffin and only played in five games in Triple-A.
The terms of the extension were eight years and $82 million, giving Milwaukee club control over him through at least the 2031 season. The deal also came with two option years for 2032-33, escalators and incentives that could push the total value to $142.5 million over 10 years.
If Griffin was to ink an extension with the Pirates, he could very well be added to the club’s 40-man roster as Chourio was with an increased likelihood of starting his big-league career. It would also give him guaranteed financial security. Griffin will be subject to the league minimum (though he could earn modest salary increases) until he becomes eligible for salary arbitration several years after starting his career.
Would Griffin be open to such a deal? Possibly. Like any decision, there are reasons for and against it.
But from the Pirates’ perspective, it’s something they should push for, and Chourio’s deal can serve as a foundation to get talks started.
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