Former MLB Executive Questions the Potential of Young Pirates Players in 2026
By Tyler Maher
The Pittsburgh Pirates' spring training has been a spectacle, with Konnor Griffin taking center stage. Griffin, a highly touted prospect, has been showcasing his power-hitting abilities and impressive skills, generating buzz about his potential to make the Opening Day roster and potentially make history in the MLB.
Jim Bowden, a former MLB General Manager, has weighed in on Griffin's performance. He praises Griffin's talent, comparing him to the likes of Juan Soto and Bryce Harper, who made their MLB debuts as teenagers. Bowden highlights Griffin's openness to a long-term contract extension, suggesting that the Pirates should secure his services as soon as possible.
However, Bowden's focus isn't solely on Griffin. He also shines a light on Oneil Cruz, who is making strides to improve his game. Cruz, who struggled against left-handed pitching last year, has taken steps to address this weakness by hiring a dedicated left-handed batting practice pitcher.
Cruz's efforts extend to his performance against breaking balls, where he has been working on tracking and making better contact. Bowden believes that if Cruz can refine his swing, he has the potential to become an All-Star and even an MVP contender. He highlights Cruz's impressive statistics from last year, including 20 home runs and 38 stolen bases, despite a low batting average of .200.
The potential for Cruz to elevate his game further is significant. Bowden suggests that even a slight increase in his batting average could result in substantial damage to opposing teams. Additionally, Cruz's development as an above-average hitter would significantly enhance the Pirates' lineup, which has already seen other notable additions this winter.
The article concludes by mentioning other Pirates players, such as Paul Skenes, who is praised for his pitching skills and his decision to represent Team USA. The author, Tyler Maher, is an experienced editorial writer with a background in sports journalism, having previously worked for Forbes Advisor, Minute Media, and MLB.com.
