Pirates prospect Konnor Griffin forcing a promotion conversation they can't avoid

MLB.com and Baseball America released the first Top 100 Prospect List update of 2025 this week. Bubba Chandler stole both national and organizational headlines with his leap to the No. 2-ranked prospect in all baseball.

While Chandler continues to dominate the upper minor leagues, another high draft choice has begun his professional career with a bang. And Konnor Griffin deserves a promotion to High-A Greensboro because of it.

Pirates' Konnor Griffin Has Proven All He Needs in Bradenton

The first 29 games of Griffin’s career have turned heads on a national level. The ninth overall pick in last summer’s MLB Draft leads Bradenton in multiple major statistical categories. Griffin tops the Marauders in home runs (7), stolen bases (13), slugging percentage (.521) and OPS (.859).

The 19-year-old has also registered a .281 batting average, 18 RBI, six doubles and one triple in his first 29 professional games. Griffin offers positional flexibility as well. He has started five games in center field and four as the designated hitter to go along with 20 appearances at shortstop.

Greensboro Needs an Everyday Shortstop

When promoting a player to the next level, a slew of corresponding moves must occur. The direct impact with Griffin’s eventual promotion would come in Greensboro. The organization should prioritize their best hitting prospect, but the Grasshoppers can easily accommodate him without making any major roster changes. Javier Rivas, Keiner Delgado and Maikol Escotto would join Griffin as the everyday High-A infield.

Rivas, a 22-year-old, had struggled in each of his four professional seasons before this one. In 2025 he has a .325/.360/.575 slash line, eight home runs, four doubles and 29 RBI in 31 games with high-A. Rivas has played 18 games at short this year to go along with seven at third and five as the designated hitter. The Pirates should push Rivas to second base upon Griffin’s call-up.

Delgado, a 21-year-old, has played all over the diamond this season. He entered play Wednesday with three home runs, eight doubles, 17 RBI and eight stolen bases to go along with a .259/.341/.405 slash line. Delgado has registered 10 games at third base, nine at second, seven at short and five as the designated hitter this year. He will slot in as the everyday third baseman.

Escotto, a 22-year-old, has played all four infield positions with Greensboro in 2025. That includes five games at second base, four at third base, one at shortstop, five as the designated hitter and nine at first base. He began to play first almost every day recently. That would fit the mold for an infield with Griffin. Escotto has recorded an impressive .371/.418/.539 slash line with two home runs, seven doubles, 11 RBI and 11 steals in 25 games with High-A.

Other Pathways are Available to Pirates to Promote Griffin

The Pirates could promote one of those three players listed above to Double-A Altoona to make room for Griffin on the High-A roster. Mitch Jebb transitioned to a primary role in center field to begin 2025. He has recorded 17 appearances in the outfield and only nine at second base. Termarr Johnson has overtaken that everyday second baseman role in Altoona with 23 starts at the position.

The Curve have Jack Brannigan as the club’s everyday shortstop, but he could easily kick over to third base. The team also does not currently have a solid, reliable, producing first baseman. A promotion for Rivas should slot him as the everyday shortstop. If Delgado gets the call, he should play third and short. An Escotto promotion should primarily focus on first base, but he will play all over.

Whichever way the Pirates decide to structure the rest of the minor leagues, there will always be a spot for Griffin. The organization’s best hitting prospect and former ninth overall pick has priority over everyone. Get Griffin to High-A. He has proven all he needed to and more in Bradenton. Holding him in Low-A could stunt his growth. Promote him.