Pirates' Konnor Griffin to snap eight-year streak set by Juan Soto in 2018 debut

Mar 21, 2026; Bradenton, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Konnor Griffin (75) at bat during the fourth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at LECOM Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

The Pittsburgh Pirates began the 2026 MLB season 3-3, and that included a disastrous Paul Skenes start. Now, they're set to play in their first home series of the year against the Baltimore Orioles.

But, it's a lot more than a simple home series for the Pirates. They will be getting to see top prospect Konnor Griffin make his MLB debut at just 19 years old. The Pirates' super-prospect is making plenty of history with this debut, with one involving Juan Soto.

As MLB.com's Thomas Harrigan writes, Griffin isn't simply making his highly anticipated debut; he's also snapping an eight-year streak set by Soto back in 2017 for the most recent teenage position player to make their debut before turning 20.

Konnor Griffin to snap Juan Soto's eight-year streak

"He'll become the first teenaged position player to appear in an MLB game in eight years," Harrigan writes. "The last to do it? Juan Soto in 2018."

Since Soto's 2018 MLB debut at just 19 years old with the Washington Nationals, there's only been one other player to make their debut before turning 20 years old, and it was Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Elvis Luciano, who made his debut in 2019.

But Griffin snapping this streak set by Soto back in 2018 is a fun piece of history as part of Griffin's MLB debut against the Baltimore Orioles on Friday, April 3rd.

More: Three ways Pirates' Paul Skenes could lose NL Cy Young Award

Soto's debut season went incredibly well, as he slashed .292/.406/.517 with 22 home runs in the first year of a career that's on the Hall of Fame track.

Griffin is going to sign a $140 million nine-year deal right as he makes his MLB debut, while Soto waited until free agency to ink a massive $765 million contract over 15 years with the New York Mets.

Making his debut at 19 years old against the Orioles, Griffin will be the first player since Soto in 2018 to make his debut in the Majors before turning 20 years old among position players, and the first since 2019 for any player to join MLB at 19 years old.

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