Jonathan Mayo joins to discuss the decision with calling up Griffin now, Griffin's best quality, him being the best position player prospect since Bryce Harper, his homer potential, if the Pirates took the best player in each of the past three drafts.

Konnor Griffin is batting 7th today. Is there any chance the team can keep Skenes long-term too? If not, will they start thinking about trading him down the road? We listen to Griffin's press conference from this morning and the guys react.

What are fair expectations for Griffin? Where does this rank among anticipated debuts? Will he win ROY? Will Griffin ever regret this reported deal? Should Ron Cook get a statue?

Konnor Griffin's dad, Kevin, joins the show! He talks about how he might react when he sees his son take the field today. Where should Griffin bat?

Steve Blass joins to discuss Konnor Griffin's debut, his excitement for today and the season.

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Bob Pompeani and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Thursday, April 2nd, 2026

Hour 1 with Bob Pompeani: The Penguins are playing with a lot of confidence and are close to clinching a playoff spot. BREAKING: The Pirates are promoting top prospect Konnor Griffin. The Pirates are promoting No. 1 prospect Konnor Griffin to the majors. Pittsburgh Pirates insider Jason Mackey still thinks a deal can get done and both sides like each other.

Hour 2 with Bob Pompeani; Building our Pirates lineup with Konnor Griffin. Bob would bat him later in the lineup. Matt would be absolutely shocked if the Pirates don't agree to a long-term extension with Konnor Griffin. Matt thinks the Pirates will bat Griffin later in the lineup to start, around the 6th or 7th spot. Penguins analyst Jay Caufield joined the show. The Penguins have been one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. It is important for the Pens future to bring back Anthony Mantha and Yegor Chinakhov.

Hour 3 with Bob Pompeani: Former MLB General Manager Jim Bowden thinks the Pirates will announce a Konnor Griffin extension prior to the home opener. Mark thinks Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers sure talk a lot for a coach-player relationship where the player isn't even signed to the roster. The Bengals are signing Kyle Dugger.

Hour 4 with Bob Pompeani and Jeff Hathhorn: Jeff thinks Konnor Griffin being promoted is tied to a contract extension. Jeff would eventually bat Griffin leadoff. We all predicted 85 wins and our win total doesn't change, but could go up if they add a third baseman or depth pitcher. Stuart Skinner is starting for the Penguins tonight against the Lightning.

We want to see the Pirates put a consistent lineup out there with Konnor Griffin. Jared Triolo has a better glove, but Nick Gonzales is hitting over .300. The Pirates lineup is significantly better than last year and puts players in a good position to be successful.

Jeff thinks Konnor Griffin being promoted is a marriage with a contract extension. Jeff would eventually bat Griffin leadoff. We all predicted 85 wins and our win total doesn't change, but could go up if they add a third baseman or depth pitcher. Stuart Skinner is starting for the Penguins tonight against the Lightning.

Mark unsurprisingly throws cold water on Konnor Griffin being called up. Mark thinks Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers sure talk a lot for a coach-player relationship where the player isn't even signed to the roster. The Bengals are signing Kyle Dugger. Do we have a Rodgers timeline??

Former MLB General Manager Jim Bowden thinks the Pirates will announce a Konnor Griffin extension prior to the home opener. Would the Pirates make this move if they don't have an extension agreed to? Griffin hit over .400 in his only week in Indy.

Matt would be absolutely shocked if the Pirates don't agree to a long-term extension with Konnor Griffin. Matt thinks the Pirates will bat Griffin later in the lineup to start, around the 6th or 7th spot. Matt thinks the Pirates will sandwich Griffin in the lineup in between two left handers. Penguins analyst Jay Caufield joins before the Penguins play a big game in Tampa Bay tonight.

Building our Pirates lineup with Konnor Griffin. What does the future look like for Oneil Cruz? Bob would bat him later in the lineup.

The Pirates are promoting No. 1 prospect Konnor Griffin to the majors. Jason still thinks a deal can get done and both sides like each other. Jared Triolo adds defensive value on the bench bouncing around. Jason doesn't think Griffin was in a great place at the start of the year and was not being himself. Griffin corrected the mistakes he was making at AAA.

The Penguins are playing with a lot of confidence and are close to clinching a playoff spot. Bob thinks the Penguins would be fine playing a playoff series beginning on the road. BREAKING: The Pirates are promoting top prospect Konnor Griffin.

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Bob Pompeani (10-1pm) and Austin Bechtold (1-2pm) from Wednesday, April 1st, 2026