Why Pirates Don't Need Konnor Griffin to Make 2026 Postseason

The Pirates are off to a strong start without their top prospect's production.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 8:55pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball game or action, with sharp, overlapping planes of navy blue, crimson red, and bright yellow, conveying the dynamic energy and balance of the Pirates' roster.The Pirates' balanced roster and strong start have them poised for a postseason run, even without their top prospect fully contributing.Today in Pittsburgh

Despite the highly anticipated promotion of top prospect Konnor Griffin, the Pittsburgh Pirates are off to a 10-7 start and sitting atop the NL Central without needing his contributions. The team is getting strong performances from players like Oneil Cruz, Brandon Lowe, Bryan Reynolds, and Ryan O'Hearn, as well as solid pitching, making them a postseason contender even if Griffin continues to struggle at the plate early in his MLB career.

Why it matters

The Pirates' early success without relying on their top prospect shows the depth and balance of their roster, raising expectations for a potential playoff run even if Griffin takes time to adjust to the majors. This could be a sign that the Pirates are building a sustainable contender beyond just one or two star players.

The details

Through 11 games, Griffin is batting just .189 with 5 RBIs, no home runs, and a .522 OPS. However, the Pirates' offense has been carried by strong starts from Brandon Lowe (.268, 7 HR, 1.076 OPS), Oneil Cruz (.328, 5 HR, 7 SB, .997 OPS), Ryan O'Hearn (.902 OPS), and Bryan Reynolds (.859 OPS). The pitching staff has also been solid, with all but four pitchers posting a sub-4.00 ERA to start the season.

  • The Pirates are 10-7 and in first place in the NL Central as of April 15, 2026.

The players

Konnor Griffin

The Pirates' top prospect who was recently promoted to the major league roster.

Oneil Cruz

A Pirates outfielder who is off to a hot start, batting .328 with 5 home runs and a .997 OPS.

Brandon Lowe

A Pirates infielder who is hitting .268 with 7 home runs and a 1.076 OPS.

Bryan Reynolds

A Pirates outfielder who is hitting .859 OPS to start the season.

Ryan O'Hearn

A Pirates infielder who is off to a strong start with a .902 OPS.

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What they’re saying

“Pittsburgh Pirates: They don't need Konnor Griffin to contend, as much as Griffin is the center of attention right now, Paul Skenes is now just one part of a strong pitching staff as Oneil Cruz, Brandon Lowe, Bryan Reynolds, and Ryan O'Hearn are all raking.”

— Zachary D. Rymer, Bleacher Report Writer

What’s next

If Konnor Griffin can begin producing at even a league-average level, the Pirates could become legitimate NL Central contenders and possibly even contend for a postseason bye.

The takeaway

The Pirates' early success without relying on their top prospect Konnor Griffin shows the depth and balance of their roster, raising expectations for a potential playoff run even if Griffin takes time to adjust to the majors. This could be a sign that the Pirates are building a sustainable contender beyond just one or two star players.