Pirates Lock Down Griffin, Next Big Thing

0:00It's April 7th, you're listening to MLB News Today, AI-powered baseball coverage. I'm Cory with the story. Pirates General Manager Ben Charrington dropped some hints this week about locking up their top prospect, 19-year-old infielder Conner Griffin, to a long-term deal. The ninth overall pick from last year's amateur draft made his big league debut last Friday against Baltimore, ripping an RBI double in his first. At bat, Pirates Brass loves his upside, but no agreements close yet. Griffin's a 6-foot-3-force who got cut in spring training, then tore up Triple-A Indianapolis with a 4-38 average before getting. Called up early in the season, he's settling in at the Platon Field, even if he's still hunting that second Major League hit, heading into Tuesday's match-up with San Diego. Charrington praised Griffin's energy, attitude, and team-may vibe, saying it shows up every day. The front-off is new, there'd be an offensive adjustment from the minors, but they felt he'd boost the team right away. It's all part of their plan to build around young

1:02cornerstones like all-star Brian Reynolds and pitcher Mitch Keller. Lately, teams are moving fast on talented young infielders. Seattle inked 20-year-old Colt Emerson to an 8-year pact before he even hit the majors, and Milwaukee did the same with 21-year-old. Shortstop Cooper Pratt last week, Griffin's handled the hype like a pro so far, and with his quick farm system climb less than 650 days since the draft, the pirates are. Convinced till conquer any big league bumps and stick around Pittsburgh for years.