Konnor Griffin signs a big deal with the Pirates, and he deserves the pay.

Pittsburgh Pirates Sign Connor Griffin to Historic Contract

When 19-year-old Connor Griffin hit an RBI double to left-center field during his first MLB at-bat, it seemed to signal a brighter future for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

With a new agreement announced on Wednesday morning, fans have yet another reason to feel optimistic.

Griffin has signed a nine-year, $140 million deal with the Pirates, marking the largest contract in the franchise’s history. This surpasses Bryan Reynolds’ previous record of $106.75 million established in 2023 and secures Griffin’s presence in Pittsburgh through 2034.

This contract is a testament to Griffin’s remarkable journey as a player.

Selected ninth overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Griffin made an immediate impression. In the 2025 season, he began in Single-A with Bradenton, boasting impressive stats: a .338 batting average and nine home runs over 50 games, leading to a promotion to Greensboro, the High-A affiliate. There, he continued to shine, hitting .325 with seven home runs in 51 games.

His ascent continued as he moved to Double-A, where he achieved a .337 average and five home runs in just 21 games.

Entering the 2026 season, Griffin started in spring training with the major league team and was highlighted as the top prospect in baseball. He even made waves by hitting two home runs against the Boston Red Sox earlier in the spring.

There was some chatter regarding his placement on Pittsburgh’s Opening Day roster. However, after posting a .171 batting average during spring training, he was assigned to the Triple-A affiliate. Interestingly, during a brief stint in Indianapolis, he shined, hitting .438 over five games with three doubles.

This performance warranted a promotion back to the major leagues, where he debuted just last week against the Baltimore Orioles.

What followed was remarkable: just five pitches into his career, Griffin achieved both his first extra-base hit and his first RBI.

Yet, the next few games weren’t as smooth. He went 1-for-4 in his debut and struggled with four consecutive 0-for-4 games. But, on Tuesday against the San Diego Padres, he broke out with a 2-for-4 performance, recording two runs at a speed of 113 mph.

The organization expressed enthusiasm about the new deal.

“Signing Connor represents a significant commitment to this team, this city, and our fans,” remarked Pirates Chairman Bob Nutting. “This aligns with our faith in Connor, our current team, and the organization’s future.”

Nutting praised Griffin’s extraordinary talent, character, and his team-oriented mentality. He noted, “He embodies what we value in a player. This is a crucial step in our goal of constructing something lasting.”

General Manager Ben Cherington also shared his excitement, emphasizing that Griffin consistently displays the qualities the Pirates seek: a commitment to improvement and a desire to win. “We look forward to watching his continued development in Pittsburgh,” Cherington said.

As the 2026 MLB season approaches, there’s a growing sentiment that the Pirates could be one of the most appealing teams, especially with young prospects like Griffin and Paul Skeens onboard.