Extension possibilities, realignment problems, Ketel Marte trade feasibility, and Reid Detmers' future are among the topics. Shortstop Konnor Griffin rose to Baseball America's top prospect spot after a breakout season, showing plus power, speed, and above-average defense while improving his hit tool and approach. Griffin has primarily played shortstop with occasional center field starts, posted a 156 wRC+ in A ball and a 169 wRC+ in High-A, and received a promotion to Double-A. With only one Double-A game and 23 Altoona Curve games remaining, promoting him to the Opening Day roster at 19 would be aggressive and potentially detrimental, and his extension status remains a subject for further evaluation.
Griffin has taken off like a meteor this season and his penchant for impact hasn't slowed down even despite a promotion to High-A. The 19-year-old has made significant strides in allaying concerns about his hit tool and approach, and the rest of his overall game has evaluators buzzing as they envision how his plus power, speed and at least above-average defense at two different positions could come together.
Given that Griffin has played one game in Double-A and the Altoona Curve only have 23 more on the schedule, putting him on the Pirates' Opening Day roster next year at age 19 would be aggressive, perhaps to the point of being detrimental. Even Jackson Chourio played 122 games at Double-A and had a brief taste of Triple-A. But let's explore the likelihood of an extension.
Collection
[
|
...
]