Skenes Precedent: Will Griffin Be Delayed?

Konnor Griffin, recognized as baseball's premier prospect, is generating significant excitement. In the 2025 season, Griffin demonstrated his potential by playing in Double-A, where he achieved a .333 batting average, a .415 on-base percentage, and a .527 slugging percentage. His performance included 21 home runs, 94 RBIs, and an impressive 65 stolen bases across 122 games.

Despite Griffin's readiness for Major League Baseball action, the Pittsburgh Pirates may follow a pattern of delaying their top prospects' debuts. This organizational tendency, similar to the handling of Paul Skenes, could lead to Griffin starting the upcoming season in the minors.

This potential delay would provide Nick Gonzales, a former top-10 draft pick, with an extended opportunity to prove himself at the shortstop position. While this situation may not align with fan expectations, it appears to be the likely scenario for the Pirates' immediate plans, though Griffin's eventual promotion is anticipated.