Trending Now - Bucs Negotiate Long-term Deal With Prospect Konnor Griffin
WHO:
Konnor Griffin, MLB Pipeline’s No. 1 overall prospect
Don Kelly, Manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates
Paul Skenes, Pirates ace
Konnor Griffin, 19-year-old prospect, Pittsburgh Pirates
Don Kelly, Manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates
Ben Cherington, General Manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates
Paul Skenes, Pirates ace and Opening Day starter
Jhostynxon Garcia, player optioned to Triple-A
Tyler Callihan, player optioned to Triple-A
Seth Hernandez, Pirates prospect, selected sixth overall in the 2025 MLB Draft
WHAT:
Griffin finished his Grapefruit League campaign hitting .184 with an .805 OPS and four home runs in 15 games.
Manager Don Kelly described the decision to reassign Griffin as "extremely difficult" and noted, "The talent that you see, I think he handled himself really well professionally."
The Pirates have discussed a potential long-term extension with Griffin, possibly for nine years and over $100 million.
Konnor Griffin was reassigned to minor league camp on March 21st, 2026.
Griffin hit four home runs and had nine RBIs in 16 Grapefruit League games.
Griffin batted .171 with 13 strikeouts in 41 at-bats during Spring Training.
The Pirates optioned Jhostynxon Garcia and Tyler Callihan to Triple-A on March 21st, 2026.
Garcia had a .405 average and 1.058 OPS in Spring Training.
Callihan hit .211 with a .716 OPS in 19 at-bats during Spring Training.
The Pirates discussed a potential long-term extension with Griffin, possibly for nine years and over $100 million.
Griffin recorded a .333/.415/.527 slash line with 21 home runs and 65 stolen bases in 2025.
WHERE:
Bradenton, Florida, at LECOM Park and Pirate City
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where the Pirates are based
WHEN:
Griffin was reassigned to minor league camp on March 21st, 2026.
March 21st, 2026, date of Griffin's reassignment
March 4th, 2025, date when Callihan was acquired by the Pirates
December 4th, 2025, date when Garcia was acquired by the Pirates
March 18th, 2026, date of Callihan's comments about his swing
WHY:
The Pirates want to prioritize Griffin's development over immediate roster needs, as he has just 98 plate appearances at Double-A and has not yet played at Triple-A.
The Pirates prioritized Griffin's long-term development over immediate roster needs.
Griffin's reassignment was influenced by his performance, as he struggled in the latter part of Spring Training.
HOW:
Griffin's reassignment was influenced by his performance, as he struggled in the latter part of Spring Training, batting just .148 (4-for-27) over his last 10 games.
Griffin showcased his skills during Spring Training but was ultimately reassigned to allow for further development.
The Pirates made roster decisions based on performance metrics and player development strategies.
(UPDATED March 22, 2026 01:34 UTC)
In a significant move for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Konnor Griffin, MLB Pipeline’s top prospect, was reassigned to minor league camp on March 21 after finishing his Grapefruit League campaign with a .184 batting average and four home runs. Manager Don Kelly called the decision "extremely difficult," emphasizing Griffin's professionalism and the team's commitment to his long-term development, especially since he has limited experience at higher levels. The Pirates are reportedly considering a potential nine-year, $100 million extension for Griffin, reflecting their belief in his future potential despite his recent struggles at the plate.
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(UPDATED March 21, 2026 23:01 UTC)
Today, the Pittsburgh Pirates reassigned 19-year-old prospect Konnor Griffin to minor league camp after he struggled in Spring Training, batting just .171 with 13 strikeouts in 41 at-bats. The team also optioned Jhostynxon Garcia and Tyler Callihan to Triple-A, with Garcia having a standout performance, hitting .405 during Spring Training, while Callihan managed a .211 average. The Pirates are reportedly considering a long-term extension for Griffin, potentially worth over $100 million, as they prioritize his development for the future.