The Pirates are calling up teenager Konnor Griffin ahead of Friday's home opener, AP source says

PITTSBURGH — 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 club tipped its hand on Thursday, featuring Griffin on various social media platforms, including an Instagram post featuring pictures of Griffin at PNC Park and included the caption "KG has arrived in Pittsburgh." The Pirates also created room for Griffin on the roster early Thursday evening, optioning outfielder Billy Cook to Triple-A Indianapolis. Griffin is expected to address reporters on Friday morning at the ballpark where the club hopes Griffin can be a lineup fixture for years to come and the team's most consequential position player since former centerfielder Andrew McCutchen, who won the 2013 NL MVP and helped guide Pittsburgh to three straight playoff berths from 2013-15. The question when the season started last week wasn't if Griffin would make his big-league debut this year, but when. The answer turned out to be "not very 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. The Pirates would benefit if any agreement with Griffin is not finalized until after he plays. The team would stay eligible to receive an extra draft pick through the Prospect Promotion Incentive if it waits until after Griffin's debut to sign him to an extension. To receive the pick — which would come at the end of the first round — Griffin would need to accrue one year of service time as a rookie and either win the NL Rookie of the Year or be a finalist for NL MVP. The Pirates have invested heavily in the draft since general manager Ben Cherington joined the club in late 2019. Pittsburgh already has the highest signing bonus pool ($19.13 million) in the majors available for the 2026 draft. 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.