2-1-2025 – By Gary Morgan – @garymo2007 on X
The Pirates selected Konnor Griffin 9th overall in the first round of the 2024 MLB entry draft. A high school outfielder and short stop with some pitching chops too, Konnor is a highly talented player who probably could have just as easily been drafted as a pitcher if he so chose to pursue it.
He’s been invited to Spring Training as he was kind enough to announce on my show the Pirates Fan Forum a couple weeks back.
So as we get ready to watch our Buccos get back in the grass and under the sun in Bradenton, I thought it would be a good time to talk about Konnor a bit and prepare everyone for what to look for.
First things first, he’s only 18 years old, but he’s 6’4″, 215 pounds, has a cannon for an arm, runs like a deer and hits for hard contact first, rather than hunting homeruns with every cut.
He’s a natural outfielder and his projections suggest not only the ability to stick in center field, but likely the ability to be a plus defender out there.
That said, the Pirates, and scouts around the game think he could hang at short stop too. That’s not to say Konnor doesn’t share their belief, but just from talking to him, you got the impression it’s more work for him than playing outfield would be.
I completely understand trying him there. First, either position would be an organizational need, and second, if you have a guy with ability to do multiple things, it’s a good idea to explore those things before said player reaches the majors only to find their spot blocked sending everyone scrambling to find out what he can do.
He did get to play some FCL games last year after being drafted, but there isn’t much to be learned on my end from those 8 games, more of a getting to know you for both player and organization really.
This offseason Konnor worked on changing his swing, and facing more velocity as he prepares for his first full season of professional baseball.
The LSU commit told us that he realized things he got away with in high school probably wouldn’t be enough as he progressed through the system, so making some tweaks was really his idea more than the Pirates who offered him little more than a few tips on how to practice. Essentially telling the youngster that going 100% in the cage isn’t always as productive as 75%. The theory being when in games you’re automatically going to be amped.
Expect him to play SS more than OF this year, but don’t read a ton into how they split his time either as 2nd round (Comp pick) Wyatt Sanford, SS will also be in Bradenton and they’ll want to have both play together.
This Spring expect him to get into a game early and then be sent off to Pirates City to begin training in earnest after he’s absorbed all he can from the guys he’s looking forward to meeting in the Big League Club house.
His scouting grades are sick… Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 65 | Arm: 70 | Field: 60 | Overall: 60, often called the top high school talent available based on projectability, there’s really nothing left to do but develop him. He’s got a head start having a coach as a father, but he’s also got a bit of an advantage as it comes to his physical state. he could add more mass and has this offseason, but he’s not some twig they’ll be pushing to the weight room hoping to make their frame predictions look smart, he’s already done an awful lot of that work.
All high school selections are a risk, Konnor included, but some are more developed than others. I expect him to move through the lower levels and still be young for his level when he reaches AA Altoona.
The real story of Mr. Griffin starts being told this Spring, but like a book you buy for the beach, the cover sure looks interesting.
If you missed the full interview with Konnor, check it out, he and his father Kevin were very gracious with their time and it was really nice getting to know him a bit better.
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