The Pittsburgh Pirates are preparing to promote their top prospect, Konnor Griffin, ahead of their home opener, making him one of the few teenage position players in recent MLB history. At 19 years old, Griffin will play several games before turning 20 on April 24, joining an exclusive group of young players who reached the Majors before their 20th birthday. The last teenage position player in MLB was Juan Soto in 2018, who went on to a stellar career and a record-breaking contract with the Mets.
Konnor Griffin to Make Historic MLB Debut as Teenage Position Player for PiratesGriffin becomes the 13th player since 2000, including pitchers, to debut in the Major Leagues as a teenager. This elite list includes Bryce Harper, Mike Trout, Félix Hernández, and the Upton brothers. Right-hander Elvis Luciano was the last teen to appear in any MLB game in 2019, while the Pirates themselves have not fielded a teenage player since Aramis Ramirez in 1998. Griffin will be only the fifth teenager for Pittsburgh since the 1950s, joining Bill Mazeroski, Bob Bailey, Bob Moose, and Miguel Dilone.
Remarkably, Griffin will be the youngest position player to appear within his team’s first seven games since Andruw Jones in 1997, who famously hit a World Series home run that same year. With his promotion, Griffin not only continues the Pirates’ tradition of integrating youthful talent but also sets the stage for what could be a historic early MLB career, capturing the attention of fans and analysts alike as one of the sport’s brightest emerging stars.
