{"id":116924,"date":"2026-03-28T12:59:55","date_gmt":"2026-03-28T16:59:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=116924"},"modified":"2026-03-28T12:59:55","modified_gmt":"2026-03-28T16:59:55","slug":"pirates-prospects-that-will-be-in-major-leagues-by-memorial-day-griffin-rodriguez-bidois","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/03\/28\/pirates-prospects-that-will-be-in-major-leagues-by-memorial-day-griffin-rodriguez-bidois\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Pirates that will be in the Major Leagues by Memorial Day"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Memorial Day isn\u2019t until May 25th. That\u2019s still well over a month-and-a-half away. However, the Pittsburgh Pirates\u2019 roster may have a handful of fresh new faces even by then. Their Triple-A roster is absolutely loaded with talent. A hot start in April will get some of the Pirates\u2019 best prospects up before the start of Summer. However, they have some in particular that could reach the Pirates\u2019 26-man roster before Memorial Day.<\/p>\n<h2>Konnor Griffin<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_116939\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-116939\" style=\"width: 2729px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/03\/USATSI_28450093-1.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"2729\" height=\"1819\" class=\"wp-image-116939 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/03\/USATSI_28450093-1.webp 2729w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/03\/USATSI_28450093-1-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/03\/USATSI_28450093-1-600x400.webp 600w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/03\/USATSI_28450093-1-1200x800.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2729px) 100vw, 2729px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-116939\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mar 9, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin (75) runs to second base on a two-RBI double against the New York Yankees in the fifth inning during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>This one is a bit obvious, but it\u2019s 100% true. By Memorial Day, <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/register\/player.fcgi?id=griffi000kon\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Konnor Griffin<\/a> may even be one of baseball\u2019s best rookies. Griffin earned his spot as baseball\u2019s consensus number one prospect after he hit .333\/.415\/.527 with a .437 wOBA and 165 wRC+ over 563 plate appearances last season. The shortstop walked in 8.9% of his plate appearances with a solid 21.7% strikeout rate. His performance at the plate was only made better by the fact that he started the year at A-Ball and reached Double-A by the end of the season.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">MLB&#8217;s top prospect Konnor Griffin launched that ball out of the stadium! \u2604\ufe0f<\/p>\n<p>(via <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MLB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@MLB<\/a>)<a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Hdxz9mN5R2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/Hdxz9mN5R2<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MLBONFOX\/status\/2026372538385740249?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">February 24, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Griffin isn\u2019t just a slugger who can also hit for average. He\u2019s an outstanding defender up the middle. Both Baseball America and MLB Pipeline praise his glove work at shortstop. Both project him as a 60-grade defender. Griffin also pitched in high school, so he has plenty of arm strength to stick there long term. He received a 70 grade for his arm. Griffin originally looked destined for center field, but is now confidently a shortstop. He is also a burner on the basepaths and is one of the fastest minor leaguers.<\/p>\n<p>Griffin had a real chance of opening the year on the Pirates\u2019 26-man roster. There <a  href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ThePoniExpress\/status\/2037646660679934267\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">still seems to be mutual interest in getting an extension<\/a> done as well. If the Pirates and Griffin don\u2019t hammer out an extension before Opening Day at PNC Park, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/03\/22\/when-will-konnor-griffin-make-mlb-debut\/\" target=\"_self\">they\u2019ll surely call up the shortstop by late-April or early-May<\/a>. That would give him plenty of time to get some work in and an opportunity to find his footing before Memorial Day.<\/p>\n<h2>Brandan Bidois<\/h2>\n<p>It\u2019s not uncommon for teams to have regular turnover in their bullpen, outside of their core set of relievers. So the Pirates may see <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/register\/player.fcgi?id=bidois000bra\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brandan Bidois<\/a> make his MLB debut well before Memorial Day. Bidois was nothing short of phenomenal last year. The Australian right-hander had a huge breakout season after he put up a 0.74 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, and 2.44 WHIP over 61 innings. He struck out a healthy number of batters, with a 30% K%. However, he occasionally ran into walks, with a 11.7% BB%. The most impressive part of Bidois\u2019 season was that he allowed zero home runs.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">This year Brandan Bidois found success at four levels of the organization. <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/lClhcrbkXE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/lClhcrbkXE<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Young Bucs (@YoungBucsPIT) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/YoungBucsPIT\/status\/1983648724091072778?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">October 29, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Bidois hurls a mid-to-upper-90s fastball by hitters. He does so with elite ride through the zone, regularly hitting 20 inches of induced vertical break. His primary breaking pitch is a mid-80s slider with over 2600 RPM of spin. Bidois has also developed a legitimate change-up. His offspeed offering comes in around the low-90s. Not only does he throw the pitch with above-average velocity for a change-up, but also with low-spin at around 1350 RPM.<\/p>\n<p>Bidois\u2019 stuff is too good to let simmer in the minor leagues. A reliever with three legitimately good pitches is something the Pirates need to have in their Major League bullpen. His ability to limit walks may be a reason for concern, but he only had a 10.6% BB% from the start of July through the end of the season. That\u2019s better than average in the minor leagues. Bidois has the sort of stuff that could make him a future closer candidate for the Pirates. Bidois was also added to the 40-man roster this offseason, putting him close to making his MLB debut.<\/p>\n<h2>Endy Rodriguez<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_116943\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-116943\" style=\"width: 4251px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/03\/USATSI_28450102.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"4251\" height=\"2834\" class=\"size-full wp-image-116943\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/03\/USATSI_28450102.webp 4251w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/03\/USATSI_28450102-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/03\/USATSI_28450102-600x400.webp 600w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/03\/USATSI_28450102-1200x800.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4251px) 100vw, 4251px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-116943\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mar 9, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates designated hitter Endy Rodriguez (13) runs the bases after hitting a home run against the New York Yankees in the fifth inning during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The Pirates\u2019 current catching situation has <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/d\/davishe01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Henry Davis<\/a> getting the lion\u2019s share of playing time behind the dish, with<a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bartjo01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Joey Bart<\/a> as the backup. However, the Pirates may look to move Bart as soon as possible and give<a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/r\/rodrien01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Endy Rodriguez<\/a> an opportunity. Rodriguez\u2019s last two seasons haven\u2019t gone according to plan. After making the Major Leagues in 2023, he was set to play an important role on the 2024 Pirates. Tommy John surgery derailed the chance of that happening. He then played just 26 games between the minor leagues and Major Leagues in 2025, eventually undergoing another elbow surgery.<\/p>\n<p>On the plus side, two major elbow surgeries haven\u2019t sapped all of Rodriguez\u2019s raw power. The switch-hitting catcher\/first baseman <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/03\/18\/endy-rodriguez-spring-puts-pirates-difficult-spot\/\" target=\"_self\">tore up Spring Training pitching<\/a>. He collected eight hits, including two home runs and a double. He had three batted balls over 100 MPH in 30 plate appearances. Rodriguez kicked off his season at Triple-A in a big way, going two-for-four, with both hits clocking in at over 108 MPH off the bat.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Endy Rodriguez with his 2nd RBI of the night, and Konnor Griffin scores his 2nd run of the night<\/p>\n<p>108.3 MPH exit velocity <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/etzmI7wfgd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/etzmI7wfgd<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Platinum Key (@PlatinumKey13) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PlatinumKey13\/status\/2037685812200985061?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">March 28, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Rodriguez continues to hit the ball as he did in Spring Training, and in his first game of 2026, the Pirates will have to call him up. Rodriguez\u2019s ability to play first base gives the Pirates some roster flexibility as well. However, if the Pirates make an early-season trade and move Joey Bart before Memorial Day, Rodriguez will be the first man up.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><em><strong>(Top Image Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images)<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Memorial Day isn\u2019t until May 25th. That\u2019s still well over a month-and-a-half away. However, the Pittsburgh Pirates\u2019 roster may have a handful of fresh new faces even by then. Their Triple-A roster is absolutely loaded with talent. A hot start in April will get some of the Pirates\u2019 best prospects up before the start of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5765,"featured_media":116945,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"824","footnotes":""},"categories":[26,926,1071],"tags":[29286,6225,28625,6372],"class_list":["post-116924","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pirates","category-milb","category-mlb","tag-brandan-bidois","tag-endy-rodriguez","tag-konnor-griffin","tag-pittsburg-pirates"],"modified_by":"Matthew Nethercott, Site Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116924","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5765"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=116924"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116924\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":116948,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116924\/revisions\/116948"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/116945"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=116924"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=116924"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=116924"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}