Pirates' Konnor Griffin gets exciting Opening Day prediction with win-now plan

The Pittsburgh Pirates are coming into the 2026 MLB season with a lot more optimism than in years past. Paul Skenes is obviously a big reason why.

But the real reason is the new faces in town. Brandon Lowe and Ryan O'Hearn are fun additions, and so is Jake Magnum. But the really interesting new addition is Konnor Griffin. He's 19 years old and might make the Major League roster out of spring training.

In their latest Opening Day roster projections for the Pirates, Colin Beazley and Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette both predicted that Griffin would make the Opening Day roster thanks to the Pirates' newfound "win-now" mindset.

Konnor Griffin predicted to make Opening Day roster

"I had Griffin outside the opening day roster on my first draft of this article," Beazley writes, "but I couldn't bring myself to do it. ...The issue is the Pirates want to win now, and Griffin can help them win more than any other option."

The Pirates' decision to leave Griffin in the minor leagues to begin the year could get them an extra year of club control. But, with how good Griffin is, and where the Pirates' roster is, it makes sense for the 19-year-old shortstop to be the Opening Day starter.

Beazley isn't the only one who predicted Griffin would make the MLB roster on Opening Day, either. Hiles also predicted as such: "I still think Griffin is making this team. He's their best shortstop on the roster. This team is trying to win now."

Griffin is still a teenager and was a 2024 draft pick by the Pirates out of high school. With a .208 average and .894 OPS in nine Spring Training games, with three home runs (including two in one game), Griffin has proven he's worth the starting job.

More: Phillies trade proposal sends Bryce Harper to Pirates for Konnor Griffin

Last year in the minor leagues, at Single-A, High-A, and Double-A, Griffin put together an all-around incredible season with some remarkable cumulative statistics.

Across 122 games, Griffin had 161 hits, 117 runs scored, 23 doubles, four triples, 21 home runs, 94 RBIs, 50 walks, and 65 stolen bases. His .333/.415/.527 slash-line turned in a remarkable .942 OPS in his first season playing professional baseball.

He's the consensus top prospect in baseball and is making a legitimate case to make the Opening Day roster. Both Hiles and Beazley predict he'll get that starting job, which would be an incredible way for Griffin to break into the majors.

Griffin is ready for the Opening Day job, and the only thing left is whether the Pirates are willing to give their superstar teenage prospect a chance to break into the Majors before turning 20 years old in late April.

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