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The Pittsburgh Pirates are one of the more intriguing teams for the 2026 season, and that includes a prospect many analysts believe is the top prospect in the game.
Shortstop Konnor Griffin is on the verge of making his MLB debut less than two years removed from his senior high school season. However, Griffin's age and overall inexperience gave the Pirates a difficult decision on whether to include him on the Opening Day roster.
Here's a breakdown of why Griffin will not be with Pittsburgh to open the season.
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Did Konnor Griffin make Pirates Opening Day roster?
The Pirates sent Griffin down to the minor leagues at the end of Spring Training, so the shortstop didn't make Pittsburgh's Opening Day roster. Instead, Griffin will continue to develop in the minor leagues, with there being a chance that he gets the call up to the majors at some point during the year.
ROSTER MOVE: We have reassigned INF Konnor Griffin to minor league camp. There are now 34 players remaining in Major League camp.
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) March 21, 2026Pittsburgh has assigned Griffin to Triple-A, as the shortstop will play for the Indianapolis Indians to begin the 2026 season.
The No. 1 prospect is Indy bound. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/IYn1GaSOj8
— Indianapolis Indians (@indyindians) March 24, 2026Why Konnor Griffin isn't on Pirates Opening Day roster
Griffin likely needed to force the Pirates' hand in order to make the Opening Day roster. While he hit four home runs and produced a respectable .749 OPS, Griffin totaled just a .171 batting average in 41 at-bats over the course of the spring.
Griffin has very little minor league experience, as he has played in just 21 games at Double-A and has never appeared in a Triple-A game. Pittsburgh will probably give him some experience at Triple-A before calling him up to the major leagues.
Of course, it's possible that the Pirates want to manipulate Griffin's service time in order to gain an extra year of control. In this case, with Griffin being just 19 years old, sending the shortstop down to begin the year isn't that egregious.
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Konnor Griffin spring training stats
- At Bats: 41
- BA: .171
- OBP: .261
- OPS: .749
- Hits: 7
- Home Runs: 4
- RBI: 9
- Runs: 5
Griffin's Spring Training was a mixed bag, as he hit four home runs but didn't do much else at the plate.
No. 1 Prospect Konnor Griffin hits his first #SpringTraining home run! 💪 pic.twitter.com/YllOJIHZLw
— MLB (@MLB) February 24, 2026— MLB (@MLB) February 24, 2026Konnor Griffin draft
Griffin was drafted ninth overall in the first round of the 2024 MLB draft out of high school by the Pirates. Griffin was the first high school player selected in the 2024 draft and was considered by some analysts to be the best high school player available in the class.
Konnor Griffin high school
Griffin attended Jackson Preparatory School in Flowood, Mississippi, and was named the Gatorade High School Player of the Year in 2024. In high school, Griffin hit .526 and totaled 23 home runs and 118 stolen bases in 111 games played, and was also a two-way player before focusing solely on hitting in the minor leagues.
How old is Konnor Griffin?
Griffin is. 19 years-old but his birthday is April 24, so he will likely make his MLB debut after he turns 20 years-old this year.
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