Pirates finalize $140M extension with prospect Griffin

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin agreed to a nine-year, $140 million contract extension on Wednesday. The deal, reported by multiple sources, marks the largest in franchise history. Griffin, the No. 1 prospect in baseball entering the season according to MLB Pipeline, turns 20 on April 24.

Griffin made his major league debut on April 3 in the Pirates' home opener against the Baltimore Orioles. The 19-year-old has gone 3-for-17 with a double, three RBI and two runs scored. He collected two hits in four at-bats against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night.

Star pitcher Paul Skenes endorsed the extension. "It’s the player that we all know that he is and that he’s going to be," Skenes said. "Sometimes, it takes a little bit to break out. It was nice to see today. It’s going to be exciting to watch." Skenes called Griffin a "big leaguer through and through."

Griffin expressed satisfaction with the security. "It feels great knowing I will be a Pittsburgh Pirate for a long time," he said. "The goal is to win every year. And I believe we can do that. It will be nice to have everything behind me, and now I can just go play baseball."