Aug 18, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) reacts after pitching he fifth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Paul Skenes Reacts to Pirates Promoting Konnor Griffin

Originally posted on Pittsburgh Pirates on SI
By Dominic Campbell | Last updated Apr 2, 2026 3:10 PM ET

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates are bringing up Konnor Griffin for his MLB debut and star pitcher Paul Skenes is ready for the teenage phemom to join the team.

Skenes spoke on the Pat McAfee show about Griffin earning the callup ahead of the home opener vs. the Baltimore Orioles at PNC Park on April 3.

He praised Griffin's maturity and is ready to see the top play that the 19-year old brings every single game, whether it's at the plate, in the infield or on the base paths.

"Yeah I'm fired up," Skenes said. "If Bucco fans needed anything else to get excited about for the home opener, they got it. It's great. He's a super mature, he's 19 right now, you'd never know it talking to him.

"The most mature 19-year old you're ever going to meet in your life. The play speaks for itself, but the way he conducts himself in the locker room and off the field, it's cool to see. He's going to bring an energy and obviously a skillset to Pittsburgh that's exciting."

Pirates Have Great Future with Skenes and Griffin

If there's anyone that knows the pressure of an MLB debut, it's Skenes, who the Pirates took first overall in the 2023 MLB Draft out of LSU.

Skenes not only handled the pressure in his debut, but excelled, throwing seven strikeouts over four innings against the Chicago Cubs on May 11, 2024.

He didn't get the win for the Pirates, as he allowed three earned runs, but he gave fans the understanding that he wouldn't just go out and try his best as a rookie, he would dominate opposing hitters from the start.

Skenes did exactly that in 2024, as he won the National League Rookie of the Year Award, finishing with a 11-3 record over 23 starts, posting a 1.96 ERA over 133.0 innings pitched, 170 strikeouts to 32 walks, a .198 batting average allowed and a 0.95 WHIP.

Griffin doesn't have three years of college experience and turns 20 years old on April 24, but has what it takes already to excel at the major league level.

He can hit for power and makes great contact as well, his defense is excellent, with an MiLB Gold Glove Award at shortstop, and he is incredibly quick, with 65 stolen bases in 2025.

Griffin has starred at all levels of the minor leagues he's played at, moving up from Single-A to Double-A through 2025 and then slashing .438/.571/.625 for an OPS of 1.196 in five games at Triple-A Indianapolis in 2026.

He also stands 6-foot-3, 223 pounds and is an incredible athlete, showing he is ready to perform at the major league level.

Griffin making his MLB debut in front of his home fans, like Skenes did, will also make for a special moment, one that Pirates faithful will hope they see for a very long time.

This article first appeared on Pittsburgh Pirates on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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