Griffin plans to be 'ready to rock' in 2027 after challenging rookie campaign

As Konnor Griffin went through his pregame infield routine just an hour before a late-September day game at Wrigley Field, it was impossible to ignore the noise. Just a few feet away from where the 20-year-old Pirates shortstop practiced his glove work, fans of all ages shouted for his attention.

MLB Pipeline’s top prospect entering the season was once one of those fans, hoping to get his favorite player’s autograph. Griffin saw the roles reverse truly for the first time amid a breakout Minor League campaign in 2025. As the Pirates' starting shortstop to end '26, the attention only amplified.

“I just try to be positive,” Griffin told MLB.com. “It’s definitely a lot bigger ever since I got to the big leagues. It's a lot more people, but it's all cool. It's part of the game.”

Griffin’s rookie season featured both a learning curve and flashes of his projected stardom. After inking a lucrative nine-year, $140 million contract in April, followed by his MLB debut at 19, Griffin batted .272 with six home runs and 23 stolen bases in 80 games.

Griffin also faced unforeseen challenges, missing time on two injured-list stints with a right forearm strain and later a freak injury involving a torn sagittal band in his left ring finger. While not playing as much as he would’ve liked, Griffin learned the ropes of playing in the Majors, and everything that comes with it.

“Baseball is giving him an opportunity to impact people's lives, and he understands that, and he embraces that,” Pirates third-base coach Tony Beasley said. “It's more than just lacing it up every day and playing. You have a responsibility to fans, and he understands that he has to represent the organization. He has all the makings to be the face of this organization for a long time.”

Griffin’s plan for the offseason started with putting the game down to escape. He finished his rookie season on a high note with a leadoff homer in the season finale in Detroit, leading to a 4-2 victory and Pittsburgh’s first winning season (82-80) since 2018. He expects to return to action in late October or early November back home in Mississippi.

Griffin hopes to clean up all parts of his game, though finding consistency at the plate and specifically on the inner-half is at the top of the list. He described himself as an “on-base guy,” but he knows the power is an added plus, and he saw it arise more as he gained at-bats.

“I feel like it was kind of rocky with the injuries, but I've had some really good positives to take out of it,” Griffin said of his rookie season. “The experience is going to be the best thing I can do, just go back and regroup this offseason. Use experiences to make my workspace a little challenging and be ready to come in and be ready to rock in spring.”

The marathon of a season is difficult for all, especially an athlete just two years removed from high school. Having his routine interrupted by the injuries, and later rehab stints in Pirate City, made things more difficult.

Even with the roadblocks and missing nearly all of July and August, Griffin wanted to finish strong to become “as comfortable as I could.” He raced back from injury to return from the 60-day IL as early as possible on Sept. 4.

Griffin made clear he’s “hungry for more” and he hopes to keep exploring the type of player he’s going to be. Though with setbacks, he also sees ways of making sure those don’t happen again.

“I learned a lot about myself, of managing my workload and not wearing myself out at practice, saving my energy for the games,” Griffin said. “It was something I had to learn, a way to be prepared but at the same time, you save your energy for the game.”

When Beasley first met Griffin during Spring Training, he expected him to be like any young kid at the professional level. Griffin surprised him with his maturity. He was even more impressed by how many questions Griffin asked to try to grow his knowledge of the game.

“He's not cocky. He's not arrogant. But he has a belief in his ability that God's given him,” Beasley said. “So he just wants to use that ability the best he can.”

Griffin hopes 2026 was just the first of many MLB seasons. He knows he proved that he belongs at the game’s highest level. And he also knows there’s plenty more to prove.