The top high school player in the nation is now calling Pittsburgh home!
On this edition of the Pirates Prospect Update, we take a look at Pittsburgh’s first round selection from this year’s draft, rookie Konnor Griffin.
Highly touted as possibly the most tooled-up player in the 2025 class, Griffin was a standout at Jackson Prep during his high school career, and was the first player drafted from their program this year. During his senior season, he destroyed school records, scoring 70 runs in one season, while also breaking the school’s all time record for steals with a career total of 111.
Given his superstar status, he had committed to play baseball at LSU, but when the Pirates drafted him ninth overall, he opted to go pro. A $7 million contract to go along with being drafted in the top 10 of the MLB draft, sounds like a perfect night for any prospect, especially one as exciting as Griffin. Over the past four years he’s won state titles in Mississippi, while also being in the conversation of top players in the nation, which ultimately culminated with him winning Gatorade’s National High School Player of the Year award.
⚾️ Jackson Prep grad Konnor Griffin has been drafted 9th overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2024 MLB Draft
Here is the immediate reaction and words by Konnor, his father, Kevin, and his high school coach, Brent Heavener:@jprepbaseball @KonnorGriffin22 pic.twitter.com/NstUhv0aI1
— David Edelstein (@davidzedelstein) July 15, 2024
A multi-capable defender, scouts are projecting him as a plus defender at shortstop, but many are stating that his true upside is in center-field. Standing at 6’4”. he’s already bigger than a lot of major league talent, with a knack for power at the plate and plus speed around the bases. 30-30 upside is not out of the conversation as he moves incredibly well for a player of his stature. He also possesses an incredibly strong arm, as he’s been clocked at 96 MPH from the mound, so if he does find himself playing in the outfield, he should have no problem covering ground in a hurry and making tough throws to complete the play.
At 18-years old, Griffin will see time in the rookie complex league down in Florida, but there is no doubt in my mind that he could be a star in due time. The five-tool upside is something that doesn’t slide across a team’s desk every day, especially a team like the Pirates. With a Major League ETA of 2028, he will be one of the most high anticipated big league promotions for the club over the next couple of years.
Pittsburgh Pirates 2024 1st Round Draft Pick Konnor Griffin in the Bridge League.
Video courtesy of our own Alex Kempton. pic.twitter.com/5dd3CfGMUL
— Prospects Live (@ProspectsLive) August 21, 2024
Konnor Griffin is currently the number 55 ranked prospect in baseball and is ranked as the Pirates’ second highest-rated prospect.