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04/08 07:32 CDT Pirates sign teenage shortstop Konnor Griffin to a 9-year deal
worth at least $140 million
Pirates sign teenage shortstop Konnor Griffin to a 9-year deal worth at least
$140 million
By WILL GRAVES
AP Sports Writer
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.
Griffin, who has said repeatedly he wants to stay in Pittsburgh for as long as
possible, has impressed teammates with his maturity and his unique skillset.
Reigning NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes called Griffin "a big leaguer through
and through," though Griffin is doing his best to ignore the attention that has
surrounded his arrival for a team that is trying to return to relevance and end
a playoff drought that's now over a decade old.
"Just sticking to being myself, not trying to do too much," Griffin said
Tuesday night. "Just let the game tell me the situation. Compete one pitch at a
time and let it all happen."
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
