It appears the Milwaukee Brewers will have to deal with a hyper-talented new face in the division with reports that the Pittsburgh Pirates are calling up shortstop Konnor Griffin.
Widely regarded as the No. 1 prospect in baseball, Griffin is reportedly close to a nine-year deal worth $140 million with the Pirates.
Advertisement
The Brewers haven’t officially announced an extension with shortstop prospect Cooper Pratt, though reports indicated March 30 that the up-and-coming shortstop would sign an eight-year deal worth just north of $50 million. Since that report, two other top-flight shortstops around the majors have reportedly signed big deals before their first at-bat.
Seattle reportedly had an agreement with top-10 MLB prospect Colt Emerson for an eight-year deal worth $95 million. And now Griffin, who won’t turn 20 years old until April 24, looks ticketed for the big leagues.
1 / 34
See Milwaukee Brewers prospects in 2026 spring training
Milwaukee Brewers infielder/outfielder Jett Williams (76) works with Nashville Sounds bench coach David Tufo, center, and infield coordinator Andrew Romine at third base during spring training workouts Saturday, February 14, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.
1 / 34
See Milwaukee Brewers prospects in 2026 spring training
Milwaukee Brewers infielder/outfielder Jett Williams (76) works with Nashville Sounds bench coach David Tufo, center, and infield coordinator Andrew Romine at third base during spring training workouts Saturday, February 14, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.
2 / 34
See Milwaukee Brewers prospects in 2026 spring training
Milwaukee Brewers infeilder/outfielder Greg Jones fields a ground ball during spring training workouts Monday, February 16, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.
3 / 34
See Milwaukee Brewers prospects in 2026 spring training
Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Brock Wilken throws to first during spring training workouts Monday, February 16, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.
4 / 34
See Milwaukee Brewers prospects in 2026 spring training
Milwaukee Brewers infielder Luke Adams plays catch during spring training workouts Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.
5 / 34
See Milwaukee Brewers prospects in 2026 spring training
Milwaukee Brewers infielder Cooper Pratt throws to the ball during spring training workouts Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.
6 / 34
See Milwaukee Brewers prospects in 2026 spring training
Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Tate Kuehner (78) throws in the bullpen during spring training workouts Sunday, February 15, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.
7 / 34
See Milwaukee Brewers prospects in 2026 spring training
Milwaukee Brewers infielder Cooper Pratt fields a ground ball during spring training workouts Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.
8 / 34
See Milwaukee Brewers prospects in 2026 spring training
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Luis Lara listens to a conversation among teammates during spring training workouts Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.
9 / 34
See Milwaukee Brewers prospects in 2026 spring training
Milwaukee Brewers infielder Jesús Made fields a ground ball during spring training workouts Monday, February 16, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.
10 / 34
See Milwaukee Brewers prospects in 2026 spring training
Milwaukee Brewers infielder Jesús Made (86) stretches during spring training workouts Monday, February 16, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.
11 / 34
See Milwaukee Brewers prospects in 2026 spring training
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Luis Lara runs the bases during spring training workouts Monday, February 16, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.
12 / 34
See Milwaukee Brewers prospects in 2026 spring training
Milwaukee Brewers infielder Jesús Made, left, talks with outfielder Luis Lara during spring training workouts Monday, February 16, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.
13 / 34
See Milwaukee Brewers prospects in 2026 spring training
Milwaukee Brewers pitching prospect Bishop Letson pitches to Milwaukee Brewers first base prospect Eric Bitonti during spring training workouts Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.
14 / 34
See Milwaukee Brewers prospects in 2026 spring training
Milwaukee Brewers infield prospect Andrew Fischer hits during spring training workouts Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.
15 / 34
See Milwaukee Brewers prospects in 2026 spring training
Brewers third base prospect Andrew Fischer throws to first base during spring training workouts Sunday, February 15, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.
16 / 34
See Milwaukee Brewers prospects in 2026 spring training
Milwaukee Brewers infield prospect Josh Adamczewski walks along the dugout during spring training workouts Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.
17 / 34
See Milwaukee Brewers prospects in 2026 spring training
Milwaukee Brewers infield prospect Brady Ebel signs an autograph for a fan during spring training workouts Sunday, February 15, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.
18 / 34
See Milwaukee Brewers prospects in 2026 spring training
Milwaukee Brewers infield prospects Brady Ebel, left, and Josh Adamczewski talk during spring training workouts Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.
19 / 34
See Milwaukee Brewers prospects in 2026 spring training
Milwaukee Brewers infield prospects Josh Adamczewski and Brady Ebel walk off the field during spring training workouts Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.
20 / 34
See Milwaukee Brewers prospects in 2026 spring training
Milwaukee Brewers infield prospect Andrew Fischer waits to bat during spring training workouts Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.
21 / 34
See Milwaukee Brewers prospects in 2026 spring training
Milwaukee Brewers infield prospect Brady Ebel runs to third during spring training workouts Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.
22 / 34
See Milwaukee Brewers prospects in 2026 spring training
Milwaukee Brewers infield prospect Andrew Fischer walks across the field during spring training workouts Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.
23 / 34
See Milwaukee Brewers prospects in 2026 spring training
Milwaukee Brewers first base prospect Eric Bitonti prepares two bat during spring training workouts Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.
24 / 34
See Milwaukee Brewers prospects in 2026 spring training
Milwaukee Brewers first base prospect Eric Bitonti stands in the batters box during spring training workouts Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.
25 / 34
See Milwaukee Brewers prospects in 2026 spring training
Milwaukee Brewers infield prospect Andrew Fischer watches the major leaguers practice during spring training workouts Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.
26 / 34
See Milwaukee Brewers prospects in 2026 spring training
Milwaukee Brewers infield prospect Brady Ebel leans along the dugout rail during spring training workouts Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.
27 / 34
See Milwaukee Brewers prospects in 2026 spring training
Milwaukee Brewers pitching prospects Bryce Meccage, left, and Tanner Perry walk onto the field during spring training workouts Monday, February 16, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.
28 / 34
See Milwaukee Brewers prospects in 2026 spring training
Milwaukee Brewers catching prospect Rylan Mills chats with fans during spring training workouts Sunday, February 15, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.
29 / 34
See Milwaukee Brewers prospects in 2026 spring training
Milwaukee Brewers infield prospect Daniel Dickinson walks between drills during spring training workouts Sunday, February 15, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.
30 / 34
See Milwaukee Brewers prospects in 2026 spring training
Milwaukee Brewers infield prospect Luis Pena walks between drills during spring training workouts Sunday, February 15, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.
31 / 34
See Milwaukee Brewers prospects in 2026 spring training
Milwaukee Brewers infield prospect Luis Pena takes a throw in a double-play drill during spring training workouts Sunday, February 15, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.
32 / 34
See Milwaukee Brewers prospects in 2026 spring training
Brewers third base prospect Andrew Fischer fields a ground ball during spring training workouts Sunday, February 15, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.
33 / 34
See Milwaukee Brewers prospects in 2026 spring training
Milwaukee Brewers infield prospect Luis Pena throws to first in a double-play drill during spring training workouts Sunday, February 15, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.
34 / 34
See Milwaukee Brewers prospects in 2026 spring training
Milwaukee Brewers pitching prospect Ma’Kale Holden throws in the bullpen during spring training workouts Saturday, February 14, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.
If Griffin indeed debuts this week, that will make him younger than Jackson Chourio was when he started the 2024 season with the Brewers. The Brewers gave Chourio an eight-year deal worth $82 million before his debut at age 20.
Though MLB does have examples of players signing long-term extensions before arriving in the big leagues, dating to Jon Singleton and Scott Kingery in 2014, this recent bumper crop seems to signify a change in MLB best practices.
Advertisement
Not only do Pratt, Griffin and Emerson appear to be signing before or near their first big-league appearance, but players like Roman Anthony (Boston), Samuel Basallo (Baltimore) and Kristian Campbell (Boston) signed long-term extensions after virtually no service time in 2025.
Colt Keith (Detroit, and another shortstop in 2024), Luis Robert Jr. (initially with the Chicago White Sox but now with the New York Mets), Evan White (Seattle) and Eloy Jiménez (initially with the White Sox but now with Toronto) also signed before their first big-league appearance.
Mar 21, 2026; Bradenton, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Konnor Griffin (75) at bat during the fourth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at LECOM Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Does Jesús Made becomes the top prospect in baseball now?
Speaking of elite shortstops, we may have a new one soon at the top of the MLB prospect hierarchy: Brewers star Jesús Made.
Advertisement
With Griffin and Kevin McGonigle, who started the 2026 season for the Tigers, widely regarded as the top two prospects in baseball, Made sits next in line and should ascend to the title of “top prospect in baseball” once Griffin and McGonigle have played enough games to “graduate” off those lists.
Made essentially came into the year as the consensus No. 3 prospect in baseball, reflected in rankings by ESPN, Baseball America, Fangraphs and MLB. He’s been assigned to Class AA Biloxi and was scheduled to begin his 2026 minor-league season April 3.
Feb 27, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Milwaukee Brewers infielder Jesus Made against the Chicago White Sox during a spring training game at American Family Fields of Phoenix. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Hot on Made’s heels for that title? Shocker, it’s another shortstop, in Athletics prospect Leo De Vries, who’s a year older than Made and likewise playing at Class AA to start 2026.
Advertisement
Yet another infielder, JJ Wetherholt of the St. Louis Cardinals, also figures to “graduate” soon, since he started the year in he big leagues. He already has his first big-league homer and seven hits.
On MLB Pipeline’s top 100 list, each of the top seven prospects could be regarded as shortstops, with Sebastian Wolcott of Texas (sixth) joining, in order, Griffin, McGonigle, Made, De Vries, Wetherholt and Emerson.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: After Brewers’ Cooper Pratt, more top shortstop prospects sign deals