Recent contract extensions may benefit Pirates' Konnor Griffin

“I think, if I'm Konnor Griffin, the cold Emerson deal just made me some money,” Bowden said on “Foul Territory.” “Because I'm going to argue that the Colt Emerson deal that was negotiated by Seth and Sam Levinson of aces, you know, I'm going to look at it as $130 million over nine years. And so if you're worth nine, $130 then my argument is Konnor Griffin's now worth nine, $150 or $160 if he's going to give that up, because he's graded a lot higher in terms of how we project the players. "

"So I do think that the Emerson deal does move the market some. So I think Konnor Griffin, by waiting a few weeks, or whatever it's going to be, will benefit from that. I think the market changes not because of what he's doing in the minor leagues of course, but more what the market just did with Colt Emerson.”

The Pirates reportedly discussed a contract worth $100 million with Griffin. Not currently on the Pirates' 40-man roster, an extension could be dangling over Griffin's head to call him up to the big leagues. 

Konnor Griffin has been successful in his short minor league career

Griffin is the best prospect in Major League Baseball and ranks six places higher than Emerson (seventh-best prospect), while Pratt is 62nd on the list. At 19, Griffin’s grades (20-80 scale) are above average, with his run (70) and arms (70) grading as “elite.”

Compared to Emerson, who has also done well — batting .278 with a home run and two stolen bases in his first four games, while batting .285 with 16 home runs in 130 games (High-A-Triple-A) — Griffin has done far better. 

Griffin quickly found success at three levels last season (High-A to Double-A), batting .333 with an OPS of .941 and 21 home runs in 122 games. Unfortunately, that didn’t translate to spring training, batting .171 with 13 strikeouts in 41 at-bats — Griffin did mash four home runs. 

It was a long shot for Griffin to fill the Pirates' open shortstop job, leading to him getting reassigned to Triple-A. In only four games since joining the Indians (Indianapolis), Griffin is batting .462 with a 1.281 OPS. 

Griffin’s early success and potential willingness to sign a long-term deal could have him in the big leagues soon.