In recent days, it’s been something of a reported impending windfall for alumni of the New Balance Baseball Future Stars Series.
On the heels of his first call-up to the big leagues, the Pittsburgh Pirates are reported to be deep in talks on a long-term deal with Konnor Griffin on a reported nine-year, $140-million contract extension. It would set up the 19-year-old alum of our 2021 National Tournaments in the Steel City for nearly the next decade, and would also be a significant bet by the Pirates that the consensus No. 1 prospect in all of baseball will be a key part of a growing young core that will once again make them competitive at the major-league level.
Per the terms of the Major League Baseball Prospect Promotion Incentive, Pittsburgh would still be eligible for the additional PPI draft pick that would potentially come with him finishing in the Top three of the National League Rookie of the Year race if he debuts before that extension is signed, a process that has been put in place in order to detract from service time manipulation.
Thing is, Griffin’s would not be the only reported big-dollar deal in recent months for FSS alums.
Per MLB.com, Cooper Pratt has reportedly agreed to an eight-year extension worth just north of $50 million, continuing a trend in that organization in which they look to lock up their top prospects prior to them setting foot in the big leagues; Jackson Chourio followed a similar path several years ago and ultimately became a star in the big leagues.
Pratt, who memorably homered at our 2022 Main Event to help put his name on the map, is considered the No. 62 prospect in all of baseball by MLB Pipeline, and has begun his 2026 season at Triple-A Nashville, where he’s hitting .267 with a stolen base and an RBI in his first three games at that level. Still just 21 years old, he could presumably reach the big leagues later this season, which would make him the tenth FSS alum active in “The Show” following Griffin’s promotion.
One of those nine active big leaguers, Tyler Soderstrom, recently parlayed his big 2025 season into a big payday as well; the alum of two NorCal World Series and a Pro Combine back in 2018, he agreed to a seven-year, $86 million contract extension with the Athletics in December 2025 that includes a 2033 club option. Per ESPN, the largest contract in franchise history, it includes a $3M signing bonus, performance escalators potentially worth $131M, and covers his arbitration and free-agent years. He hit .276 with 25 homers and 93 RBI last year for the A’s.
Over the past three years, FSS alumni have comprised approximately 35% of MiLB’s Top 100 prospects, 16% of MLB Draft selections, and one-third of MLB Draft Combine participants, underscoring the organization’s central role in modern talent identification. Collectively, players identified and developed through Future Stars Series platforms have earned signing bonuses nearing half a billion dollars.
About New Balance Future Stars Series
The New Balance Future Stars Series presented by Program 15 is a global platform for amateur baseball development and scouting, powered by a commitment to impact, integrity, and player-focused innovation. Its alumni can be found throughout professional baseball, and its events and partnerships have reshaped how talent is identified, nurtured, and celebrated.
Connect with New Balance Future Stars Series by visiting our website, www.futurestarsseries.com, by visiting our YouTube page, and by checking out the social media channels below.
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Since 2003, he has covered multiple World Series and has worked high-profile events ranging from the MLB All-Star Game to the World Baseball Classic. In addition to his role working for the Future Stars Series that he's held since 2017, Ashmore currently serves as the beat writer of the Double-A New York Yankees affiliate, the Somerset Patriots, as well as national hockey writer and New York Jets game day beat reporter for The Trentonian.
A regular contributor to Baseball America, Ashmore has worked eight Super Bowls, 12 Stanley Cup Finals, the 4 Nations Face-Off, the NBA Playoffs, College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Frozen Four, Daytona 500, major UFC events and much more as he approaches 3,300 games covered in his career.
An avid trading card enthusiast, he lives with his wife, Sarah, their son, future No. 1 overall draft pick in 2042, William, their beloved dog, Bailey, and occasionally well-behaved cat, Smokey.
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