The St. Louis Cardinals are in the midst of reshaping their roster with an eye toward long-term contention, and part of that process includes monitoring the rising talent across the National League Central.
While many view the division as a likely two-team battle between the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers this season, the Pittsburgh Pirates could soon become a serious obstacle for St. Louis once its rebuild gains traction.
On Sunday in Jupiter, Florida, the Cardinals faced the Pirates in a spring training matchup for the first time since 1998. During that game, a teenage standout who wasn’t even born the last time the two clubs met in Florida delivered an eye-opening introduction.
Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin widely regarded as baseball’s top overall prospect wasted no time making an impression. In his first at-bat, the 19-year-old crushed a 400-foot home run off Cardinals starter Kyle Leahy. Though it was his lone hit in three trips to the plate, it was enough to grab attention.
Griffin has moved quickly through the minors, appearing in 21 Double-A games last summer and thriving with five home runs and a .961 OPS. His rapid development has already sparked speculation about when he might reach the big leagues.
The Cardinals had an opportunity to draft Griffin in 2024, holding the seventh overall pick before the Pirates selected him ninth. Instead, St. Louis chose JJ Wetherholt, who has surged through the minor leagues himself and is projected to open the season as the team’s starting second baseman.
Still, Griffin’s immense upside means the Cardinals will likely be dealing with him for years to come. As Pittsburgh continues to build momentum, whether competing at the top of the division or further down the standings, Griffin has already shown he can change the course of a game and potentially the balance of the rivalry with one swing.
