Pirates' Konnor Griffin Gets First Spring Training Start

PITTSBURGH — Konnor Griffin is the consensus top prospect in baseball and will make his first Spring Training start for the Pirates.

Griffin starts at shortstop and hits second for the Pirates, as they take on the Philadelphia Phillies at BayCare Park in Clearwater, Fla., with first pitch set for 1:05 p.m.

He is joined by fellow Jackson Prep alum Jake Mangum, who makes his first Spring Training start in left field and leads off. Spencer Horwitz joins Mangum in making his first Spring Training start, serving as the designated hitter and batting third.

Griffin will form an infield partnership with Termarr Johnson at second base, as they did towards the end of last season at Double-A Altoona. Johnson will bat seventh.

Jack Branningan takes over at third base and hits eighth and Enmanuel Valdez makes his second start at first base, batting fifth, rounding out the infield.

Rising Pirates outfielder prospect Esmerlyn Valdez starts in right field and hits sixth, while Mitch Jebb will play in center field and hit ninth, completing the outfield.

Rafael Flores Jr. plays catcher and hits fourth and will work with right-handed starting pitcher Braxton Ashcraft, who makes his first Spring Training start.

Pirates Lineup vs. the Phillies

Travel Roster for the Pirates vs. the Phillies

The Pirates will also have 30 players on this travel roster, which includes 10 pitchers and 20 position players.

Right-handed relief pitcher Cam Sanders is the only other player that is on the 40-man roster that isn't starting for the Pirates.

The Pirates will also have some rising prospects in infielders like Callan Moss and Wyatt Sanford, both of whom had important 2025 campaigns and will look to build on that this year.

Pitchers

Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders

Pirates Face Rays in Spring Training Home Opener

This is a split-day for the Pirates, as they host the Tampa Bay Rays at LECOM Park in Bradenton, with first pitch also set for 1:05 p.m.

Brandon Lowe faces his former team, after the Pirates traded to get him from the Rays this offseason, making his first Spring Training start at second base and hitting second.