\n
\t\tImage credit:
\n\t(Photo by Jay Biggerstaff\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
The Pirates hit the jackpot in the 2024 draft.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mississippi high school shortstop Konnor Griffin<\/a> fell to them with the ninth pick. That\u2019s not entirely fair to Griffin. Labeling him as \u201cshortstop\u201d is selling him short. He also was the ace pitcher for Jackson Prep School and had dabbled in center field.\u00a0<\/p>\n He even won the BA High School Player of the Year<\/a> award.\u00a0<\/p>\n So how did eight teams pass on such a multi-dimensional talent as Griffin in the 2024 draft? It had to do with skepticism about his hit tool\u2014skepticism that he quickly dispelled in a Minor League Player of the Year<\/a> campaign in 2025 that culminated in him reaching Double-A for 21 games.\u00a0<\/p>\n Griffin\u2019s rapid progression in his first pro season positioned him not only as the No. 1 prospect in the game but also put him on track to make his MLB debut in 2026. The only question is when.<\/p>\n It could be sooner than anyone could have guessed on draft day in 2024.<\/p>\n That\u2019s because some aspects of the Collective Bargaining Agreement incentivize the Pirates to debut Griffin sooner rather than later, potentially even on Opening Day. Let\u2019s take a look at why the Pirates might break camp with Griffin as their starting shortstop\u2014and why they might not.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Why The Pirates Might Carry Griffin On Opening Day<\/p>\n Historically speaking, Triple-A experience is not a requisite for MLB success<\/a> for top overall prospects. That certainly applies to Griffin, the No. 1 prospect in the game<\/a>, the same as it does for Tigers shortstop Kevin McGonigle, the No. 2 prospect.<\/p>\n Both players are vying to bypass Triple-A and make Opening Day rosters, Griffin in his age-20 season and McGonigle in his age-21 campaign.<\/p>\n It\u2019s rare for a player 20 or younger to bat 500 times in a big league season. The last to do it was Jackson Chourio in 2024. Before that it was Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Juan Soto in 2019. Before them it was Manny Machado in 2013 and Mike Trout and Bryce Harper in 2012.\u00a0<\/p>\n Adrian Beltre, Alex Rodriguez and Ken Griffey Jr. also belong to this club.<\/p>\n As was the case with those future superstars, Griffin has the type of talent to emerge as a franchise player. If he plays in the big leagues this year as a 20-year-old, he will endure ups and downs of a typical young big leaguer, but his brilliance will shine through in spots as he acclimates.<\/p>\n Broadly, the three best reasons for the Pirates to carry Griffin on Opening Day are talent, competitive intent and future considerations.<\/p>\n Talent<\/p>\n Despite his youth, Griffin is the best shortstop in Pirates camp this spring. He has batted more than any other Pirates player and has manned shortstop more than any other player, a field that includes Jared Triolo and Nick Gonzales and non-roster players Alika Williams and Yordany De Los Santos.<\/p>\n Competition<\/p>\n The Pirates made offseason moves aimed at building a competitive team, one that could challenge for a National League wild card, if things break their way.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Pittsburgh traded for second baseman Brandon Lowe and signed right fielder Ryan O\u2019Hearn and DH Marcell Ozuna. It acquired extra outfielders Jake Mangum and Jhostynxon Garcia and relievers Gregory Soto and Mason Montgomery. While none of these players is a marquee talent, all are contributing big leaguers, the kind the Pirates have not bothered to acquire in recent offseasons.\u00a0<\/p>\n Rostering Griffin on Opening Day\u2014and, therefore, playing their best 26 players from day one\u2014maximizes the Pirates\u2019 chances to compete in what will be a tight playoff race.<\/p>\n Future considerations<\/p>\n