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Pirates finalize franchise-shifting Konnor Griffin extension, avoid draft pick drama

Finally!
Emma Lingan
Emma Lingan

Rum Bunter

Apr 3, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin (6) high-fives in the dugout after scoring his first major league run in his debut against the Baltimore Orioles during the second inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images / Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Pittsburgh Pirates didn’t just secure their future — they made sure they didn’t sacrifice it in the process.

Pittsburgh finalized a nine-year extension with Konnor Griffin on Wednesday, cementing the 19-year-old as a cornerstone through 2034 while preserving eligibility for a Prospect Promotion Incentive (PPI) draft pick. By waiting until after Griffin’s MLB debut last week to complete the deal, the Pirates ensured they remain eligible to receive an extra draft selection if he wins NL Rookie of the Year or earns a top-three MVP finish within his first three seasons.

It’s a subtle but significant win for a front office that has been under scrutiny for its long-term planning.

Pirates announce Konnor Griffin extension after early momentum

Griffin, the consensus No. 1 prospect in baseball, has already flashed his upside with Pittsburgh and dominated his brief Triple-A stint. Now, the Pirates get both their franchise talent and the future asset — a rare instance of threading the needle.

The next order of business, of course, is for the Pirates to sustain the momentum brought about by Griffin's arrival, and for Griffin to find his footing and translate his immense talent into production after being elevated.

The team timed every element of his arrival perfectly. He missed out on the Opening Day roster, sure, but that could've been justified by his spring training performance (flash early, adjustment late). Plus, who wanted him to open his big league career at frigid Citi Field when he could've arrived in style at PNC Park for a three-game tilt with the Orioles?

Unsurprisingly, the pomp and circumstance matched his immense expected impact, and the Buccos swept the set.

Now, after fighting back rumors of a pre-promotion extension and/or some form of contingency (you sign it, you get a call-up, a deal's a deal), Griffin and the Pirates have secured his long-term future while still retaining the possibility that a Rookie of the Year win will earn this franchise some additional draft capital.

But most importantly? Griffin is a Pirate until his age-28 season, and can still cash in spectacularly in free agency when the time is right. It's hard to pull off a gambit more cleanly than this.

Emma Lingan

Emma Lingan

Emma Lingan is an MLB Staff Writer for FanSided primarily covering the Pittsburgh Pirates. She has been covering baseball for more than a decade dating back to her time as a student at Wake Forest University, and she has won two gold medals as a member of the U.S. National Team delegation (2016 Pan-American Championships & 2017 World Baseball Classic). She is also a credentialed NHL reporter and a member of the Professional Hockey Writers Association. You can follow her @Emma Lingan on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.