Next in Line: Young MLB Stars Poised for Long-Term Extensions

Major League Baseball is experiencing a significant increase in long-term contract extensions for top prospects, with several teams securing young talent before they have established substantial major league service time.

On April 7, 2026, the Pittsburgh Pirates signed shortstop Konnor Griffin to a nine-year contract worth $140 million. The deal was finalized less than one full week after Griffin began his MLB career. Griffin is currently 19 years old and is scheduled to turn 20 on April 24.

The Seattle Mariners also reached an agreement on April 7, 2026, signing shortstop prospect Colt Emerson to an eight-year extension valued at $95 million. This agreement marks the largest guarantee in baseball history for a player with no service time, surpassing the eight-year, $82 million deal the Milwaukee Brewers signed with Jackson Chourio before the 2024 season.

the Milwaukee Brewers signed shortstop Cooper Pratt to an eight-year extension worth $50.75 million. Pratt, who is 21 years old, had played his first games at the Triple-A level during the first week of April 2026.

A Growing Trend in Early Career Extensions

The practice of signing prospects to long-term deals early in their careers has gained momentum in recent years. Since 2022, 11 players with less than one full year of MLB service time have signed contracts of at least five years. In comparison, only nine such deals were signed between 2011 and 2021.

While these deals have become more common, they are not without precedent. Nearly two decades ago, the Tampa Bay Rays signed Evan Longoria to a six-year, $17.5 million extension six days into his big-league career.

I can just play. Play the game how it’s supposed to be played without thinking about it as much, and also be able to take care of my family for generations. … I’m still going to want to go 5 for 5 every day and do all this stuff. It’s just that thought in the back of your head disappears.

Cooper Pratt

Other Recent Major League Extensions

The trend of locking down young talent extends to established players and prospects alike. The Chicago Cubs recently secured two players with long-term agreements: center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong signed a six-year deal worth $115 million, and second baseman Nico Hoerner signed a six-year deal worth $141 million.

Teams are increasingly willing to offer these guarantees to minimize future arbitration costs and secure core players for the long term, even if the players have limited experience above High-A or Triple-A levels.

Potential Future Extension Candidates

Following the recent wave of signings, several other top prospects are viewed as candidates for similar long-term extensions. These players include:

• JJ Wetherholt
• Cameron Schlittler
• Leo De Vries
• Travis Bazzana
• Jesus Made
• Kevin McGonigle

These prospects, associated with teams such as the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Guardians, and the Athletics, represent the next wave of talent that teams may look to secure before they reach the open market.