Konnor Griffin just pushed MLB Network over the edge on Pirates hype

For past two years, national conversations about the Pittsburgh Pirates have followed a familiar script: Paul Skenes dazzles. Analysts nod politely. Then the discussion quickly shifts somewhere else.

Not anymore. Because now, the Pirates don’t just have elite pitching. They might have a teenage shortstop turning spring training batting practice into a daily spectacle — and the national media is starting to notice.

When Pittsburgh Post-Gazette insider Jason Mackey described Konnor Griffin’s batting practice as “appointment viewing,” it wasn’t hyperbole. This 19-year-old is launching baseballs on top of buildings — routinely — and the idea of him breaking camp with the big-league club suddenly doesn't seem so far-fetched.

“If he hits .400,” Mackey said, “they’re going to have a tough time turning him down.”

That sentence alone tells you how dramatically the conversation around the Pirates has shifted. Because this organization historically hasn’t rushed prospects. Now? They might be considering handing the keys at shortstop to a teenager before Opening Day.

And that, folks, is what urgency looks like.

Pittsburgh’s actions this winter — aggressive trades, lineup upgrades, a willingness to move on from struggling veterans — have started to convince outsiders that the Pirates actually care about winning right now. And Griffin fits directly into that shift.

Shortstop remains one of the most fluid spots on the roster. The Pirates have options, but none with Griffin’s upside or electricity. If the Grapefruit League turns into a continuation of what’s already happening on the back fields, the decision may stop being about development timelines and start becoming about competitive advantage.

Konnor Griffin hype suddenly feels like hope for Pittsburgh Pirates fans

When former All-Star pitcher and MLB Network analyst Dan Plesac complimented the Pirates this week, he sounded almost giddy.

“If the Pirates can just be somewhere close to league average in run production,” Plesac said, “they’re going to present some problems because nobody wants to face the Pirates’ starting pitching.”

That statement hits differently now. Because everyone already knows what Skenes brings. They know about Mitch Keller and Bubba Chandler. They know about the depth. They know opposing hitters don’t exactly circle Pittsburgh road trips as relaxing weekends anymore.

The missing ingredient has always been offense. Enter Griffin — the possibility, not even the certainty — of adding explosive athleticism and impact bats to a roster that suddenly looks deeper than it has in years.

Plesac even admitted something Pirates fans haven’t heard nationally in a long time:

“This is the most enthusiastic I’ve felt going into a season in about four or five years.”

Now, Pirates fans have learned to treat hype cautiously — and with good reason. They’ve seen prospects stall, windows shatter, and momentum disappear just when optimism began to build.

But something about this moment feels different. Maybe it’s Skenes resetting expectations around pitching dominance. Maybe it’s a front office finally supplementing young talent instead of waiting endlessly for it to mature. Or maybe it’s watching a teenager casually send baseballs into orbit while veteran teammates shake their heads.

Griffin hasn't recorded a single at-bat above the Double-A level. And yet, he’s already changed the conversation. If he forces the Pirates’ hand this spring, it will be because the organization — and now even MLB Network — can see what’s coming.