Prospect News: Griffin Takes Flight or I Fought For Lawlar

Konnor Griffin grabbed all the headlines Wednesday afternoon when news broke that his promotion was imminent and that Pittsburgh was deep into contract talks with the 19-year-old shortstop, who ended up signing for nine years and $140 million, beating Colt Emerson’s days-old record for a player who hadn’t debuted ($95 million) by a healthy margin but surrendering two years of free agency in comparison to the one that Emerson signed away. Tough to dislike this one for either side, I think. We’ve seen recently that these kinds of deals can be torn up and rewritten if both sides are happy with their situation. By which I mean the fear that a young player will get ripped off in this kind of transaction feels overblown. If he really does outperform the contract, he could probably get a healthy raise in exchange for another year of free agency, which is what you’d want to do anyway if you’re building a family and enjoying your life where you’re living it. 

Diamondbacks OF Jordan Lawlar got beaned and broke his right wrist. He’ll reportedly be out for six-to-eight weeks. I guess it was fun while it lasted. Easy to feel for the guy. I do believe health is a skill, but dang Lawlar’s had some bad luck. He tore his labrum shortly after being drafted. In March of 2024, he ruptured the UCL in his thumb. Later that year, his left hamstring went haywire, an issue that carried over to 2025. He’s probably gained some medical know-how over this half-decade. Maybe he can get caught up on The Pitt before the season finale. 

Diamondbacks C Adrian Del Castillo’s return from the injured list might have bumped SS Jose Fernandez (22) back to the minors, but Lawlar’s injury should keep him in the clubhouse. I like both these bats and hope they’re part of the daily plan. Fernandez has played three different spots in three games (first base, third base, shortstop), so it stands to reason the team might try him in the outfield. He hit two homers in his debut and has struck out just once in nine plate appearances. His season-long line was solid in Double-A last year: .272, 17 HR, 12 SB, but even that doesn’t tell the tale because Fernandez improved throughout the year and hit .305 with 11 of those homers in his final 52 games. 

Diamondbacks OF AJ Vukovich (24, AAA) might be an option. He’s hitting .345 with two homers through 29 Triple-A plate appearances, but he has yet to draw a walk. 

Braves RHP Didier Fuentes (20, AAA) recorded seven strikeouts in just 3.2 shutout innings, allowing one hit and one walk. Jose Suarez will probably get another start or two, but the writing is all over the wall on this one. Fuentes figured to fit right into that rotation. 

Cardinals 3B Blaze Jordan (23, AAA) fired out the gates, blasting three home runs in his first five games while drawing three walks against two strikeouts. My initial reaction to this was that Jordan will be blocked for the near future. Then I looked a little further into Nolan Gorman, who’s been below average on both sides of the ball for the past two years. Maybe he can cut his strikeout rate and remain in the lineup, but I’m thinking his days might be numbered. 

An 18th round pick in 2023, Dodgers LHP Sterling Patrick (20, A+) signed for a bonus that was well above slot (~348K) and has steadily climbed the organizational ladder since then. He features solid stuff (heater, slider, cutter, changeup, curve) and a deceptive delivery that helped him to five shutout innings with seven strikeouts and just three baserunners allowed in his 2026 debut. He doesn’t profile as a front-of-the-rotation type due to an average fastball, but if his secondary command continues to come along, he could become a trade piece or swingman type in short order. 

Pirates RHP Seth Hernandez (19, A) piled up eight strikeouts in just three innings. That’ll work. He did allow three hits and a run somehow, so at least the other kids have a chance. 

Thanks for reading!