With the move, Griffin becomes the latest prospect to ink a long-term contract before ever setting foot in MLB, joining Seattle Mariners shortstop Colt Emerson and Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Cooper Pratt, both of whom signed eight-year deals earlier in the week.
However, unlike the other two prospects, Griffin was called up to the majors on Thursday and could be in line to debut with the Pirates on Friday when they take on the Baltimore Orioles in their home opener.
The six-foot-three Griffin, taken with the ninth overall pick in the 2024 first-year player draft, has rocketed through Pittsburgh’s farm system. He batted .333 with 21 home runs, 94 RBIs and 65 stolen bases in 122 combined games between single-A and double-A in 2025.
Entering 2026 as the consensus No. 1 prospect in baseball, the 19-year-old continued to make his case for a call-up in his short stint at triple-A to begin the year. He has batted .438 with a 1.196 OPS and three stolen bases in five games for the Pirates’ affiliate.
While he only hit .171 in 16 spring training games, he showed off his power with four home runs and a .749 OPS.
The Pirates are 3-3 after losing their season-opening series to the New York Mets, but winning the next three-game set against the Cincinnati Reds.
