Pirates sign teenage shortstop Konnor Griffin to a 9-year deal worth at least $140 million
Konnor Griffin is with the Pittsburgh Pirates for the long haul. The 19-year-old shortstop agreed to a nine-year, $140 million contract with the Pirates early Wednesday, less than a week after the former first-round pick made his major league debut. “Signing Konnor is a meaningful commitment to this team, this city and our fans,” owner Bob Nutting said in a statement.
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Konnor Griffin is with the Pittsburgh Pirates for the long haul. The 19-year-old shortstop agreed to a nine-year, $140 million contract with the Pirates early Wednesday, less than a week after the former first-round pick made his major league debut. The deal, the largest in club history, includes escalators that could raise the total value to $150 million.
“Signing Konnor is a meaningful commitment to this team, this city and our fans,” owner Bob Nutting said in a statement. “It reflects our belief in Konnor, in this season's club and in the future of the organization. ” The agreement comes less than 24 hours after general manager Ben Cherington said the “ingredients” were in place for a long-term pact.
The Pirates selected Griffin with the ninth overall pick in the 2024 amateur draft. He sprinted through the team's farm system, hitting . 333 with 21 home runs, 94 RBIs and 65 stolen bases.
He was one of the final cuts during spring training last month, and his stay at Triple-A Indianapolis was brief. Pittsburgh called Griffin to the majors after just a week, and he has played well through his first handful of games. Griffin laced an RBI-double in his first big-league at bat against Baltimore last Friday, and added a pair of hits, including a two-run single, in a 7-1 win over San Diego on Tuesday night that helped the Pirates to their sixth win in seven games.