Overview
- Pirates officials announced Thursday that 19-year-old shortstop Konnor Griffin will debut in Friday's home opener against the Orioles at PNC Park.
- Griffin earned the call after five Triple-A games in Indianapolis, where he went 7-for-16 with three doubles, five walks, four strikeouts and a 1.196 OPS following his March 21 reassignment.
- Reporters and team sources said the move targets better production at shortstop, where Jared Triolo and Nick Gonzales had offered limited offense through the first week.
- Contract talks with Griffin are ongoing, ESPN reported, with no deal finalized as recent pre-debut extensions for prospects Colt Emerson and Cooper Pratt have helped set the market.
- Promoting him now gives Griffin a full year of MLB service and could qualify the Pirates for a Prospect Promotion Incentive draft pick if he hits awards-voting benchmarks like Rookie of the Year.