Pirates Weigh Konnor Griffin's Promotion to Majors

Top prospect's service time and extension negotiations complicate decision

Mar. 23, 2026 at 2:49am

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The Pittsburgh Pirates face a complex decision on when to promote top prospect Konnor Griffin to the major leagues. While Griffin's potential is exceptionally high, the team must balance his development with long-term strategic interests like service time and a potential contract extension.

Why it matters

The Pirates' handling of Griffin highlights a growing trend in MLB where teams carefully manage prospect promotions to maximize service time and secure long-term control. This approach can impact a player's development and a team's competitive window, as seen in the Pirates' past experience with Paul Skenes.

The details

The Pirates are considering starting Griffin in Triple-A despite his strong spring training performance. This could allow the team to retain an extra year of club control by delaying his MLB debut. The team is also in extension negotiations with Griffin, reportedly offering over $100 million. However, the Pirates are wary of repeating their mistake with Skenes, who they held back in 2024 only to see him win Rookie of the Year.

  • The deadline to qualify for a Prospect Promotion Incentive (PPI) draft pick is April 9th.
  • In 2024, the Pirates delayed Skenes' debut, missing out on a PPI pick when he won Rookie of the Year.

The players

Konnor Griffin

The Pirates' top prospect, consistently ranked among the best in MLB with exceptional potential.

Paul Skenes

A Pirates prospect who won Rookie of the Year in 2024 after the team delayed his debut, resulting in the loss of a valuable PPI draft pick.

Roman Anthony

A Red Sox prospect who recently signed an 8-year, $130 million extension, providing a potential benchmark for Griffin's contract negotiations.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.