The Pittsburgh Pirates have their first Spring Training game of 2026 on Saturday, when they face the Baltimore Orioles.<\/p>\n
That could be top prospect Konnor Griffin\u2019s first taste of facing big league pitching this year with a chance<\/a> at cracking the Pirates\u2019 Opening Day roster.<\/p>\n Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette raved about Griffin recently, saying that \u201cIt\u2019s absolutely crazy<\/a>\u201d that the shortstop is only 19 years old.<\/p>\n The insider continued his praise of the teenager in his \u201c10 thoughts from 10 days at Pirate City before Grapefruit League action starts\u201d column on Friday<\/a>.<\/p>\n Mackey\u2019s first note was that \u201cthe Griffin hype is real.\u201d<\/p>\n Story continues below advertisement<\/p>\n \u201cKonnor Griffin, the top prospect in baseball, hit several buildings at Pirate City during batting practice, which became appointment viewing for pretty much everyone. My personal favorite was Griffin, still only 19, clearing the batter\u2019s eye a few days ago, a homer that went at least 450 feet and probably more,\u201d the beat writer said. \u201cIt\u2019s something I\u2019ve not seen anyone else here ever do.\u201d<\/p>\n The former ninth overall draft pick finished the 2025 campaign with 21 home runs, 94 RBIs and 65 stolen bases, along with a .333\/.415\/.527 slash line across 484 at-bats covering 122 games between Low-A Bradenton, High-A Greensboro and Double-A Altoona.<\/p>\n \u201cGriffin passed every available test during this stage,\u201d Mackey wrote. \u201cNow, it\u2019s time to see how games inform our opinions on whether he\u2019ll make the opening day roster. But it\u2019s impossible not to pay attention to the kid.\u201d<\/p>\n Story continues below advertisement<\/p>\n