Pirates have one extra incentive to promote Konnor Griffin to Opening Day roster

Konnor Griffin experienced a meteoric rise to prospect stardom in his professional debut in 2025, starting at Low-A Bradenton and climbing all the way to Double-A Altoona before the year was out.

He got better at each stop along the way, peaking at a .337/.418/.542 slash line with a ludicrous 175 wRC+ in 21 games with the Curve. That performance has led to raucous calls from Pittsburgh Pirates fans to get the 19-year-old on the 2026 Opening Day roster.

Though there may be some pitfalls to that plan — Griffin has drawn all of 98 plate appearances above High-A — it's clear that the hype train isn't slowing down any time soon. The Pirates have focused their entire offseason around upgrading the lineup, and promoting the top prospect may be the fastest way to turning the offense into a respectable unit.

However, his stick isn't the only benefit he'd provide the major-league roster.

Konnor Griffin's glove is a necessary piece of Pirates' infield puzzle in 2026

Given the way the roster is currently projected to play out, the Pirates are at risk of fielding one of the worst up-the-middle defenses in baseball this upcoming season.

Oneil Cruz "earned" -14 Defensive Runs Saved for his work in center field last year, and new starting second baseman Brandon Lowe did as well. With no Ke'Bryan Hayes left to cover a ton of ground on the left side of the infield, the Bucs could condemn their elite pitching staff by anchoring them to a below-average unit in the field.

MLB Pipeline does suggest that "more evaluators see center as a better long-term home" for Griffin, but the Pirates have already been down that road with Cruz. The top prospect spent 88 games at shortstop in 2025 compared to just 15 in center field, and he'd be a seamless replacement for presumed starter Nick Gonzales, who contributed -12 DRS of his own between second base and short.

Calling up the teenager could lead to a positive snowball effect where Gonzales takes over third base on a more regular basis, freeing up Jared Triolo to fulfill his usual utility role that won him a Gold Glove in 2024. Alternatively, Triolo could become the starter at the hot corner after supplying 7 DRS there in just 260 1/3 innings of work last season.

Whether for his bat or glove, it's becoming almost impossible to deny Griffin a chance to crack the major-league roster out of camp. He may need a bit more seasoning — what teenage prospect doesn't — but the Pirates would almost certainly be better with him in Pittsburgh.