The Pittsburgh Pirates are reportedly handing Konnor Griffin a record-breaking contract worth $140million – before the 19-year-old has even made his MLB debut.
The teenage shortstop, who was selected with the ninth overall pick of the 2024 draft, is set to become the highest-paid player in baseball to have never played in the major leagues.
According to a report by ESPN on Thursday, the Pirates and Griffin are finalizing a nine-year deal worth $140million.
It comes just two days after Colt Emerson and the Seattle Mariners agreed to an eight-year $95m contract.
That was the largest amount for a minor league prospect yet to make his major league debut until Pittsburgh decided to call up Griffin ahead of Friday’s home opener against the Baltimore Orioles.
The 19-year-old shortstop is the consensus choice as the top prospect in baseball and on Thursday, the Pirates posted pictures of Griffin at PNC Park with the caption: ‘KG has arrived in Pittsburgh.’
The Pirates are reportedly handing Konnor Griffin a record-breaking contract worth $140m
The 19-year-old, among the top prospects in baseball, has yet to make his MLB debut
The Pirates also created room for Griffin on the roster early Thursday evening, optioning outfielder Billy Cook to Triple-A Indianapolis.
Pittsburgh hopes Griffin can be a lineup fixture for years to come and the team’s most consequential position player since former centerfielder Andrew McCutchen, who won the 2013 NL MVP and helped guide Pittsburgh to three straight playoff berths from 2013-15.
The question when the season started last week wasn’t if Griffin would make his big-league debut this year, but when.
The answer turned out to be not very long after Griffin hit .438 (7 for 16) with three doubles, an RBI and three stolen bases at Triple-A Indianapolis.
The 6ft 3in 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.
Griffin earned an invitation to Pittsburgh’s big-league camp and was among the last cuts before the opening day roster was set. While he showcased his power by smashing three home runs during Grapefruit League play – the most by a teenager in spring training in at least two decades – he also struck out more than a dozen times.
The Pirates would benefit if their agreement with Griffin is not finalized until after he plays. The team would stay eligible to receive an extra draft pick through the Prospect Promotion Incentive if it waits until after Griffin’s debut to sign him to an extension.
Join the discussion
Is it fair for a teenager to earn $140M in sports before proving himself in the big leagues?
The 6ft 3in Griffin was taken with the ninth overall pick in the 2024 first-year player draft
Griffin will be joining a team off to a 3-3 start after taking two of three in Cincinnati.
The Pirates are anchored by one of the best young starting rotations in the majors, led by reigning Cy Young winner Paul Skenes, who picked up his first victory of the season on Wednesday.
Pittsburgh upgraded its woeful offense in the offseason, trading for All-Star second baseman Brandon Lowe and signing first baseman/outfielder Ryan O’Hearn and designated hitter Marcell Ozuna in free agency.
Lowe already has three homers this season for the Pirates, whose 10 home runs through six games are tied with the Los Angeles Angels for most in the majors. Pittsburgh finished dead last in homers by a wide margin last season.
