Griffin ‘this is where I see a winning organization’

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) –There were options, if successful, Konnor Griffin could have made more money potentially in arbitration or early in free agency. But the Pirates 2024 first-round pick said the organization took a chance on him and he’s doing the same.

“This is where I see a winning organization,” Griffin said. “We're gonna do a lot of great things with the players that we have and I want to be a part of it for nine years. I want to continue to be a part of the build of winning, playoff baseball. And this is a great place for me, a great place for my family, and couldn't be more proud.”

The 19-year-old could have been a free agent in six years with potentially three years of a mega contract. He said he prizes stability for himself and his family in his decision. It seemed as though now he views the Pirates organization, specifically the players, as his extended family. His teammates all showed up for his news conference and talked openly of supporting him.

“It’s amazing seeing the guys back there,” Griffin said Wednesday at PNC Park. “They made me so comfortable in this clubhouse. It’s been nothing but great and I’m thankful for the relationships I’ve been able to build with them. I really do care about being a better teammate more than anything. I’m going to continue to do that.”

Like family, Griffin expects ‘to get a little crap’ from the guys for being a 19-year-old with a $140 million guaranteed contract. But players, including Paul Skenes, seemed genuinely happy for him getting his rare contract.

Griffin said he learned quickly in the how to separate business and baseball. He credited his agents for their work behind-the-scenes for the last month or so. He did his work on the field and they continued to talk with Pirates GM Ben Cherington and finalized the deal ‘in the last few days’.

It’s a lot on the shoulders of a guy who has played four MLB games and is over a year from legally drinking a beer.

“I know I still gotta go perform,” Griffin said. “That's the most important thing. But I've always kind of told my family and the organization I'm prepared for this. I'm ready for it. I'm ready to get on that field and go win some games soon.”

After years of transition and players coming and going, Pirates fans can now buy the jersey of a player who will be in Pittsburgh for nearly a decade.

“The fans are amazing,” Griffin said. “I can't wait to see the stadium packed like that for a long time, for nine years. And that's why I want to be here. I want to win for the city. I want to do it for them, because they deserve it. They deserve a winning team.”

He said he’s prepared for this, from the early days of his family setting the foundation and the advice he’s received along the way from friends, agents, teammates.

“It's one of the best weeks of my life,” Griffin said. “The debut and then having my family here this whole week, just experiencing my first week in the big leagues. I'm super thankful that they're here for me and I have a great support staff. It couldn't be a better week and this is a great way to finish it off, but it'll be even better if we can get a win today.”