{"id":661925,"date":"2026-04-04T01:32:25","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T01:32:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/661925\/"},"modified":"2026-04-04T01:32:25","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T01:32:25","slug":"former-red-sox-top-prospect-just-became-pirates-roster-casualty-for-konnor-griffin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/661925\/","title":{"rendered":"Former Red Sox top prospect just became Pirates’ roster casualty for Konnor Griffin"},"content":{"rendered":"

In case you’ve been sheltering your eyes from all things baseball related during the Boston Red Sox’s ugly start<\/a>, you’ve likely recognized that other teams have begun following in their footsteps by locking down key young players and top prospects to long-term deals in recent weeks.<\/p>\n

None of those extensions mattered quite as much as the enormous deal the Pittsburgh Pirates are planning to hand to Konnor Griffin<\/a>, the top prospect in all of baseball who made his MLB debut on Friday. That reported $140 million contract is a huge step forward for one of the league’s most historically frugal franchises and will keep one the game’s most exciting young talents with a small-market club for the next decade.<\/p>\n

However, when one door opens, another must close. And, unfortunately for former Red Sox top prospect Enmanuel Valdez, Griffin’s arrival means his time in Pittsburgh has come to a close (for now).<\/p>\n

ROSTER MOVE: The Pittsburgh Pirates today selected the contract of infielder Konnor Griffin from Triple-A Indianapolis.<\/p>\n

Infielder Enmanuel Valdez was designated for assignment to make room for Griffin on the 40-man roster.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 3, 2026<\/a>Enmanuel Valdez’s MLB career takes a hit as Konnor Griffin one-ups Roman Anthony<\/p>\n

Valdez never got much playing time with the Pirates, who acquired him<\/a> for right-handed pitching prospect Joe Vogatsky over the 2024 season. Someone may claim him off waivers, betting on his power upside (he had two 25+ homer seasons in the minors) and age (he’s still just 27). Even then, though, it’s been a precipitous fall from grace for a player who was a top-20 prospect in the Red Sox’s system prior to 2023.<\/p>\n

Fun fact: Boston’s best player right now, Wilyer Abreu, was the “other” prospect acquired from the Houston Astros in the Christian V\u00e1zquez-for-Valdez deal. The trade was clearly a win, even if it didn’t work out exactly as planned.<\/p>\n

If Valdez isn’t claimed, the Pirates will likely outright him to Triple-A. He’s never hit MLB pitching well (career 85 wRC+) but he’s only played in 156 games. His shine may be dulled, but it hasn’t completely disappeared.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Griffin’s contract is notable for many reasons, not the least of which is that it barely eclipses the monstrous extension Roman Anthony got<\/a> last year (eight years, $130 million). Griffin’s agreement may be completed before his MLB debut, while Anthony’s came after a white-hot start to his career. Nevertheless, that’s now back-to-back years in which the No. 1 overall prospect in baseball has signed a nine-figure deal.<\/p>\n

Naturally, the Pirates will be hoping and praying that their star shortstop can come even close to match Anthony’s rookie output, when the outfielder hit .292\/.396\/.463 (140 wRC+) and emerged as the Red Sox’s everyday leadoff hitter. The two will be connected for a long time to come, with plenty of comparisons drawn thanks to their pedigrees and wallets.<\/p>\n