Konnor Griffin is only 19, but there’s a very real chance he’ll be the Pittsburgh Pirates’ starting shortstop on Opening Day next Thursday.
That would be a lot of pressure for most 19-year-olds, but not Griffin, who everyone says is wise beyond his years.
That includes teammate Bubba Chandler, who praised Griffin’s maturity on Tuesday’s episode of “Foul Territory.”
“I love KG… It’s kind of insane. Very fortunate to get to know him, get to know his wife… They don’t act like they’re 19, and that’s cool. I think that’s pretty sweet,” Chandler said in an interview with former catcher A.J. Pierzynski. “You’re gonna see it… He’s gonna go dominate wherever he’s at. It’s gonna be fun to watch. Can’t wait to be teammates with him one day.”
Bubba Chandler says Konnor Griffin making the Pirates’ Opening Day roster “would be sick.”
He says Griffin is mature beyond his years and most people wouldn’t know he was only 19 years old. pic.twitter.com/MvuyyPkL6q
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) March 17, 2026
When asked about Griffin potentially making the Opening Day roster, Chandler sounded excited by the possibility.
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“That’d be sick. That’d be really cool,” Chandler told Pierzynski. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed watching him play… Super stoked that we have him, super stoked to see where he ends up.”
Chandler’s only 23 himself and was previously a top prospect as well, so he knows exactly what Griffin is going through. He debuted late last season and is expected to open the year in Pittsburgh’s rotation.
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If both pan out, they could be Pirates teammates for a long time.
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