Pirates' Skenes Declares Teammate Griffin as 'Face of the Franchise'

19-year-old shortstop Konnor Griffin signs record-breaking 9-year, $140 million extension with Pittsburgh

Apr. 8, 2026 at 5:43pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting the dynamic energy of a baseball game, with players and the field broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and form.A cubist interpretation of a pivotal moment in the Pirates' young core of Paul Skenes and Konnor Griffin, who are poised to lead the franchise for years to come.Today in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes has declared that his 19-year-old teammate Konnor Griffin, who just signed a historic 9-year, $140 million contract extension, will be the 'face of the franchise' for years to come. Skenes, the reigning Cy Young Award winner, believes the spotlight and attention on the young shortstop will eventually calm down as the 2026 season progresses.

Why it matters

The Pirates are building an exciting young core around Skenes and Griffin, who at just 19 years old has become the highest-paid rookie in MLB history. This signals the team's commitment to building a contender for the long-term, with two potential superstars leading the way.

The details

Konnor Griffin made his MLB debut with the Pirates on April 3, 2026, becoming the first teenage position player to debut in the majors since Juan Soto in 2018. The Pirates quickly locked up the young shortstop to a 9-year, $140 million contract extension, the largest deal ever for a rookie. Teammate Paul Skenes, the reigning Cy Young Award winner, believes Griffin will eventually become the 'face of the franchise' as the initial hype and attention surrounding the teenager begins to settle.

  • Konnor Griffin made his MLB debut on April 3, 2026.
  • Griffin signed a 9-year, $140 million contract extension on April 8, 2026.

The players

Paul Skenes

The Pittsburgh Pirates' ace pitcher, who won the Cy Young Award in 2025.

Konnor Griffin

A 19-year-old shortstop who signed a record-breaking 9-year, $140 million contract extension with the Pittsburgh Pirates, becoming the highest-paid rookie in MLB history.

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What they’re saying

“Yeah, it's awesome. Hopefully, at some point, it's going to quiet down for him. I think this is his sixth day in the big leagues. Not every day, not every week is like this. I'm sure he'll learn. But, yeah, super happy for him and his family. Glad he got a deal that works for him. He's going to be the face of the Pirates for a long time.”

— Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates Pitcher

What’s next

As the 2026 season progresses, the attention and spotlight on Konnor Griffin is expected to calm down as he adjusts to life in the major leagues.

The takeaway

The Pirates are building an exciting young core around two potential superstars in Paul Skenes and Konnor Griffin, signaling the team's commitment to long-term success. Griffin's record-breaking contract extension at just 19 years old highlights the team's faith in the shortstop as the future 'face of the franchise'.