Pirates make decision on baseball’s No. 1 prospect before home opener

Hopes for the 2026 MLB season are sky-high in Pittsburgh after the Pirates made several offseason moves. So far, free-agent signees Brandon Lowe and Ryan O’Hearn have combined for five home runs and 10 RBIs. Also, Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes put together a strong outing on Wednesday, April 1, after a tough first start.

Pittsburgh started 3-3 heading into an off day on Thursday, April 2. MORE: Cardinals shortstop has crazy night on and off the field Hovering over all the optimism, Pirates fans knew baseball’s top prospect, 19-year-old shortstop Konnor Griffin, was on the way. Well, the wait ended quicker than expected.

On Thursday, ESPN senior reporter Jeff Passan posted that Griffin will join the Pirates for their home opener on Friday. Griffin, who turns 20 on April 24, is the No. 1 prospect in baseball, according to MLB.

com , He impressed early in spring training, but the organization sent him to the minor-league camp March 21 to work on plate discipline. In his first 16 at-bats at Triple-A Indianapolis, Griffin recorded seven hits, including three doubles, for a . 438 average and 1.