Pirates’ Home Opener Generates Excitement

The buzz around the Pirates’ home opener on Friday is palpable.

Pittsburgh announced on Thursday that 19-year-old shortstop Connor Griffin, the top prospect as detailed by MLB.com, will take the field against the Orioles. The news came via a video on social media.

Bringing Griffin into the mix might provide the spark the franchise is searching for as it aims for its first playoff appearance since 2015. He has the potential to be an offensive powerhouse, especially alongside ace Paul Skeens.

This marks a rapid ascent for the ninth overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, who was selected straight out of Jackson Preparatory School in Mississippi. It’s not typical for high school prospects to shine early, yet Griffin made quite an impact last year in the minors, excelling at both Single-A and Double-A.

He posted an impressive .333/.415/.527 line, racking up 21 home runs, 94 RBIs, and stealing 65 bases over 122 games.

Despite not showcasing his full potential during spring training, Griffin did have a solid start in the minors this year with a .749 OPS and four home runs over 20 games. His recent performance—hitting .438 with a 1.196 OPS in five Triple-A games—convinced the Pirates he was ready for the big leagues.

The hope is that he will become a cornerstone of the lineup and help break the team’s ten-year playoff drought.

The Pirates have a decent, if not exceptional, rotation led by Skeens, who some believe is the best pitcher right now. However, their offense has been lacking in young talents to build around. Bryan Reynolds is a valuable veteran, but there’s concern over former Giants top pick Joey Bart’s development, and 2021’s number one pick, Henry Davis, has struggled with a .555 career OPS.

Promoting Griffin early might also lead to the Pirates securing a premium draft pick, thanks to the league’s updated promotion rules. If he spends at least 172 days on the active roster, it could set the team up nicely for the next few years.

To get an additional pick, Griffin needs to finish in the top three for this year’s NL Rookie of the Year or in the NL MVP race from 2026 to 2028.

The Pirates started the season with a 3-3 record, losing two of three to the Mets in New York but bouncing back to win two out of three against their rivals, the Reds. They’re gearing up for a six-game homestand beginning Friday, which includes three games against the Padres next week.