Pirates are calling up teenager Griffin ahead of home opener

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Konnor Griffin Era will begin on Friday in Pittsburgh. A person familiar with the decision has told The Associated Press that the Pirates are calling up the 19-year-old shortstop, the consensus choice as the top prospect in baseball, before Friday's home opener against the Baltimore Orioles. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the roster move was not yet official. The question when the season started last week wasn't if Griffin would make his big-league debut this year, but when. The answer didn't take long after Griffin hit .438 (7 for 16) with three doubles, an RBI and three stolen bases at Triple-A Indianapolis. The 6-foot-3 Griffin, taken with the ninth overall pick in the 2024 first-year player draft, has rocketed through Pittsburgh's farm system. He batted .333 with 21 home runs, 94 RBIs and 65 stolen bases in 122 combined games between Single-A and Double-A in 2025. Griffin earned an invitation to Pittsburgh's big-league camp and was among the last cuts before the opening day roster was set. While he showcased his power by smashing three home runs during Grapefruit League play — the most by a teenager in spring training in at least two decades — he also struck out more than a dozen times. The Pirates broke camp with Jared Triolo at shortstop and Nick Gonzales at third. The addition of Griffin likely means Triolo — a Gold Glove winner as a utility player — will head to third. While Pittsburgh has been in talks with Griffin about a lengthy contract extension that would in essence buy out his arbitration years in advance, the person told the AP the decision to call him up was not dependent on an agreement being reached. The person said Griffin is coming to Pittsburgh because he's the franchise's best option at short. Griffin will be joining a team off to a 3-3 start after taking two of three in Cincinnati. The Pirates are anchored by one of the best young starting rotations in the majors, led by reigning Cy Young winner Paul Skenes, who picked up his first victory of the season on Wednesday. Pittsburgh upgraded its woeful offense in the offseason, trading for All-Star second baseman Brandon Lowe and signing first baseman/outfielder Ryan O'Hearn and designated hitter Marcell Ozuna in free agency. Lowe already has three homers this season for the Pirates, whose 10 home runs through six games are tied with the Los Angeles Angels for most in the majors. Pittsburgh finished dead last in homers by a wide margin last season. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb