Pirates Drop Top Prospect Konnor Griffin From Opening Day Roster

10 unique / 11 total | Updated 43m ago | Created 1d ago

Mississippi, USA MLB

The Pittsburgh Pirates officially optioned No. 2 prospect Konnor Griffin—their top MLB talent—to minor-league camp on Saturday morning (Mar 19), ending his chances of making the Opening Day roster despite entering spring training as a frontrunner for starting shortstop duties at age 18 in Arizona's desert heat, according to reports from The Score and NY Times.

Key Points

1

The Pittsburgh Pirates officially reassigned their No. 1 prospect Konnor Griffin from spring training camp back to minor-league status.
2

Griffin will not make the Opening Day roster, despite entering practice with high expectations and a strong performance in batting trials against other prospects like Paul Skenes.
3

Sources indicate ongoing discussions between Pittsburgh and Griffin regarding a historic nine-year extension worth over $100 million.

Developments

[Mar 21, 21:39] Clutchpoints reports the Pirates have immense faith in Konnor Griffin and are discussing a nine-year extension worth over $100 million before he takes his first big-league at-bat.

[Mar 21, 20:58] Sportspyder confirms the Pirates optioned shortstop Konnor Griffin to minor-league camp on Saturday morning; MLB's top prospect will not begin his season in a big league uniform.

[Mar 21, 04:01] 'The Score' reports that discussions have centered around the potential historic long-term extension worth over $100 million and spanning up to nine years with Konnor Griffin. A deal does not appear imminent.

Pittsburgh Pirates make expected move with Konnor Griffin

Yardbarker David Hill, Yardbarker 11h ago

Pirates make final decision on Konnor Griffin’s Opening Day status

Clutchpoints Alex House 11h ago

[The Score] - MLB's top prospect Griffin won't make Pirates' Opening Day roster

Sportspyder Bryan Mcwilliam 12h ago

The Pittsburgh Pirates have optioned shortstop Konnor Griffin to minor-league camp after his performance this spring was significantly below last season's record-breaking pace, despite him being a consensus No. 1 prospect and hitting .941 OPS in the minors previously. Although he entered training with high expectations following an Opening Day roster shot from previous year stats (20 homers on a .941 OPA), Griffin slashed only to hit for his first time this spring (.586/.73).

Pirates Make Konnor Griffin Roster Announcement Ahead of MLB Opening Day

Heavy TJ French 12h ago

Pirates reassign No. 1 prospect Konnor Griffin to minor-league camp

Nytimes 12h ago

The Pittsburgh reassigned top prospect Konnor Griffin, who hit .171 during spring training and is unlikely to start on Opening Day against expected incumbent Nick Gonzales. Despite this setback for a teenager hoping to become the first since Ken Griffey Jr., sources confirm that discussions regarding his long-term extension continue as he remains viewed by management as their greatest potential upgrade at shortstop after years of losing seasons without star power in position.