MLB's top prospect Griffin won't make Pirates' Opening Day roster

Major League Baseball's top prospect won't begin the season in the big leagues.

The Pittsburgh Pirates optioned shortstop Konnor Griffin to minor-league camp, the team announced Saturday.

Pirates manager Don Kelly called the decision not to include Griffin on the Opening Day roster "extremely difficult."

"The talent that you see, I think he handled himself really well professionally," Kelly said, according to The Associated Press. "We talk about the maturity level as a 19-year-old in big-league camp. Really excited about him being a Pirate and what that means for the future of Konnor Griffin and the Pirates."

Griffin entered camp with a ton of hype, and he appeared to have a decent shot at making the team's Opening Day roster after hitting 21 homers and posting a .941 OPS in the minor leagues last season.

The 19-year-old didn't produce at the same rate this spring, slashing .171/.261/.488 with four home runs and nine RBIs in 16 games.

"I think you see a young kid that was maybe pressing just a little bit and trying really hard," Kelly said. "Konnor Griffin the person is elite. Allowing him to go and get back to basics and being Konnor Griffin out there (could help). We know there's an elite talent level that comes with him. Just looking forward to him being in Pittsburgh whenever that time comes."

Pittsburgh is reportedly discussing a nine-figure contract extension with the consensus No. 1 prospect despite him not making its MLB roster.

The Pirates selected Griffin with the ninth pick in the 2024 draft.