Pirates Calling Up No. 1 Prospect Konnor Griffin: Fantasy Baseball Breakdown

Big news in the MLB just broke. Let's discuss the call up for Pittsburgh's Konnor Griffin.

We will assess his fantasy value in redraft leagues and dynasty leagues too.

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The News and Some Numbers

Griffin is expected to be called up for the team's home opener on Friday. The 19-year-old shortstop is the No. 1 prospect in baseball, which makes this a big deal.

He was drafted ninth overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, and he's done nothing but succeed in his time in the minor leagues. In 122 games between Single-A, High-A and Double-A last season, Griffin had a .333 average and .415 on-base percentage.

He also had 161 hits, including 23 doubles, 21 home runs and four triples. Griffin drove in 94 runs, scored 117 times, walked on 50 occasions, stole 65 bases and struck out 122 times.

There's a lot to like in those numbers, and he had a chance to make the big league team out of spring training this year. It was actually a bit of a shock to see him be sent down, but he's up now, after just a week of play.

He played in five games with the Triple-A team this year. Griffin had seven hits, including three doubles. He also posted an RBI, four runs scored, five walks, three stolen bases and four strikeouts.

Pittsburgh decided it was time to add the talented Griffin to the big league roster, and the Pirates' fans now have something else to look forward to during the home opener.

Griffin's Fantasy Outlook

Griffin is the top-ranked prospect for a reason. He's shown a bit of everything during his time in the minor leagues, and now he will try to excel in the big leagues as a teenager.

It won't be easy, and there might be bumps along the road, but I believe in Griffin in the long run. His dynasty value is sky high, but I also am a fan of him in redraft leagues immediately.

Regardless of where Griffin falls in the order, he'll be playing daily - the Pirates wouldn't call him up to sit multiple times a week.

Pittsburgh doesn't have the best lineup, but there's enough talent in it to make Griffin a good fantasy asset. If Griffin can deliver similarly to how he has in the minor leagues, he could be a great fantasy asset, even without much help around him.

What I'm getting at is that I also like adding Griffin in all redraft leagues immediately as well. Before writing this story, I added him in a league of mine where he was still available.

At worst, you roster Griffin and bench him until he delivers. That might not take long. If he doesn't take off and gets sent back down, then you can either stash him, or drop him, if you need that roster spot to be producing.

I just think Griffin is too talented to not add right away. If he lives up to the hype he's gained as a prospect, he could be one of the top fantasy hitters in the league, and it could happen as early as this season.

So while his long-term outlook is fantastic, I also really like his outlook in redraft leagues. He should be rostered in 100% of fantasy leagues by the time he suits up on Friday.

Pirates' Outlook with Griffin

As for what the call up means for the big league team, here are my best guesses.

Jared Triolo has been the team's shortstop to this point of the season. The 28-year-old has a .150 average and .261 on-base percentage. That's not going to cut it, so the simple move would be to replace Triolo with Griffin.

Triolo could shift into a reserve role, and because he can play any infield spots, he could become a utility option, filling in when an infielder needs a break.

Brandon Lowe is the second baseman, and has started the season well, so he's unlikely to be replaced, unless his production really falls off, or he gets injured.

Spencer Horwitz and Ryan O'Hearn have split time at first base. O'Hearn will stick in the lineup in some fashion though, as he's also started in right field. Triolo could be a platoon option with Horwitz at first base though, and then O'Hearn could permanently start in the outfield.

Third base has mostly belonged to Nick Gonzales, although Nick Yorke has appeared there twice. Triolo could spell Gonzales from time to time in an effort to keep him in the lineup a bit, even if Griffin is starting daily at shortstop.

Regardless of who else gets moved around, Griffin should be playing daily at shortstop, or in some fashion. That's the important thing for his fantasy outlook, and why he's worth adding in all leagues today.

Lowe is the only other heavily-rostered fantasy asset in the infield, so it doesn't impact the fantasy outlooks of too many others to add Griffin to the mix.

Be watching the starting lineups and stats to see who is playing and producing daily for Pittsburgh. The lower-rostered guys can be streaming assets if in hot stretches, but otherwise expect Griffin and Lowe to be locked-in daily starters, and everyone else to be just deep-league fantasy assets.