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Report: Pittsburgh Pirates, Konnor Griffin agree to nine-year, $140 million contract ahead of MLB debut

IMG_0985by: Griffin McVeigh04/02/26griffin_mcveigh

Thursday continues to get a whole lot better for Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Konnor Griffin. After learning he would be making his MLB debut in the team’s home opener vs. the Baltimore Orioles, a nice payday is now heading his way.

According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, Griffin and the Pirates have agreed to a nine-year contract. This means Griffin will be bought out of some free agency years to remain in Pittsburgh for the long haul. An eye-opening dollar figure is part of the deal, as Griffin will make $140 million before taking the field as a big leaguer.

Griffin was thought to be a candidate to make the Pirates’ Opening Day roster. However, they sent him down to AAA for what turned out to be around a week. Turns out, five games in Indianapolis were enough for Griffin as he batted .438 with three doubles and three stolen bases in just 21 plate appearances. Five walks were drawn as well, compared to four strikeouts.

The future for Griffin is considered incredibly bright. Pittsburgh has been an organization in need of a spark in recent seasons. Paul Skenes provided one right out of LSU. The former No. 1 overall pick was at the MLB level less than a year after being drafted and is now widely considered a top two pitcher in baseball.

Pittsburgh is hoping Griffin’s outlook is similar to Skenes. Just in a different area, as a spark in the lineup has been what’s missing for the Pirates.

“He’s the best prospect in baseball,” MLB insider Ken Rosenthal said via Foul Territory during spring training. “Consensus No. 1 prospect. Around the Pirates, there is a lot of talk about him, a lot of excitement about him. They believe, potentially, he could be a unicorn along the lines of Paul Skenes. The hitting version of Paul Skenes. Now, that’s a lot to ask, obviously.”

Griffin is hoping to do a lot more than just help the Pirates in 2026. His reported contract runs through the 2035 season. At just 19 years old, Griffin will still be on the more favorable side of his prime when hitting free agency. Who knows what a second contract will look like for him with nearly a decade of experience under his belt.

But for now, you have to imagine his focus is on putting together a solid MLB debut. Griffin will take the field at PNC Park around 4:12 p.m. ET, setting up shop at his new shortstop home.