Fair Territory with Ken Rosenthal Konnor Griffin Called Up! Who’s Hot & Who’s Not, Early Season Trends
Apr 2, 2026
A discussion of the Pirates promoting 19-year-old Konnor Griffin and what that move signals for their future. Exploration of why teams give long-term deals to unproven prospects. A roundup of early-season hot teams and clubs struggling out of the gate. Conversation about the next wave of impact prospects and rotation injury concerns around the league.
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Konnor Griffin Called Up At 19 After Historic Minors Run
- Konnor Griffin got called up to the Pirates at 19 after dominating the minors with a .336/.420/.530 line, 21 HRs and 68 steals in 584 PA over two years.
- Ken Rosenthal says the promotion times Griffin to preserve the team's eligibility for a prospect promotion incentive pick if Griffin wins Rookie of the Year.
Extensions Timed To Secure Prospect Promotion Picks
- Teams often delay promotions or time debuts to retain eligibility for prospect promotion incentive (PPI) draft picks tied to post-debut extensions.
- Rosenthal contrasts Pirates' timing with Paul Skeens' earlier handling that cost the club a PPI pick.
Sign Prospects To Buy Cost Certainty And Surplus Value
- Teams pursue long-term deals for top unproven prospects to lock in cost certainty and capture surplus value over potentially lower future market rates.
- Rosenthal warns it's risky but notes many past long-term deals (Acuna, Ramirez) paid off for clubs.