All eyes are on whether Konnor Griffin starts the 2026 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates. A former MLB general manager believes the top prospect will make his MLB debut on March 26.<\/p>\n
Steve Phillips said Thursday on MLB Network\u2019s \u201cHot Stove\u201d<\/a> that Griffin is \u201cabsolutely\u201d capable of making an immediate impact. He believes the 19-year-old will and should spend a full season in the majors.<\/p>\n \u201cI think he makes the team on Opening Day,\u201d Phillips said. \u201cI think it\u2019s the right thing for the Pirates.\u201d<\/p>\n Phillips noted that the Pirates would receive draft-pick compensation if Griffin wins National League Rookie of the Year. The shortstop would also receive a year of service time \u2014 regardless of when he\u2019s promoted \u2014 if finishing first or second in the award voting, so waiting for a midseason call-up could backfire.<\/p>\n Pittsburgh\u2019s offseason acquisitions could also ease Griffin\u2019s assimilation. A lineup that added Brandon Lowe, Ryan O\u2019Hearn and Marcell Ozuna won\u2019t rely on the heavily hyped youngster to carry the offense from Day 1.<\/p>\n Story continues below advertisement<\/p>\n \u201cThis lineup is such that he\u2019s got some protection that he doesn\u2019t feel like, \u2018I have to go be the guy.\u2019 He will be the guy, though,\u201d Phillips predicted. \u201cI mean, this kid is unbelievable.\u201d<\/p>\n The Pirates appear to be giving Griffin a legitimate opportunity<\/a> to make the Opening Day roster after a dominant start to his professional career. He\u2019s No. 1 in nearly all preseason prospect rankings after batting .333\/.415\/.527 with 21 home runs and 65 stolen bases last season. <\/p>\n Starting 2026 in Pittsburgh would nevertheless represent a rapid leap for Griffin, who began last year in Single-A and spent just 21 games in Double-A. Pirates manager Don Kelly called it<\/a> \u201ca really tough ask\u201d for the teenage phenom to make that jump, but that doesn\u2019t mean Griffin won\u2019t earn the opportunity.<\/p>\n Story continues below advertisement<\/p>\n