ALTOONA, Pa. — Even earlier than he was a first-round decide, a possible phenom or the highest prospect within the recreation, folks have been already asking Konnor Griffin for autographs. He was solely the stud at Jackson Prep when folks needed to get the excessive schooler’s signature, anticipating he was going to be one thing particular.
“I did not know what to anticipate,” Griffin mentioned when requested if he noticed himself reaching Double-A this rapidly. “I used to be simply able to get my professional profession began and issues have been going good, so I am simply grateful to be right here.”
Griffin has seen loads of Double-A ball in his life — his dwelling in Jackson, Miss., is simply about 10 minutes away from the Braves’ former affiliate (the Mississippi Braves) — and it didn’t take him lengthy Tuesday to indicate what he might do at that degree, singling in his first at-bat earlier than promptly stealing second. He completed the night time 1-for-4 with an RBI.
That steal occurred to be his sixtieth on the season, changing into the primary Pirates Minor Leaguer with that many in a season since Manny Ravelo in 2001.
COMPLETE PIRATES PROSPECT COVERAGE
“I began to steal as many baggage as I might in highschool, and it’s sort of translated over to professional ball,” Griffin mentioned. “I attempt to be aggressive. I attempt to get on base and get going.”
Pair that with 16 dwelling runs, a .331 batting common and a .933 OPS this season throughout three ranges, and it’s simple to see why he’s already grow to be must-see TV earlier than he blows out his twentieth birthday candle.
“It’s identical to popcorn,” Curve supervisor Andy Fox mentioned. “Folks pop at totally different instances. He’s simply an early popper.”
It didn’t take Griffin too lengthy to start out popping in his first full season of professional ball. He confirmed his extra-base energy in Single-A Bradenton early to start out the season, but it surely got here with whiffs and strikeouts. He’s steadily reduce down on these because the yr has progressed, and his stroll fee climbed and his strikeout proportion dropped with Excessive-A Greensboro.
The Pirates needed to see how Griffin would reply to the problem of Excessive-A, however a possible second promotion was on the radar, too. Griffin’s play made that call rather a lot simpler, and after 50 video games with Bradenton and 51 with Greensboro, he’s now in Altoona, simply two steps away from the Majors.
“It’s been a fairly spectacular run,” common supervisor Ben Cherington mentioned on his radio present on 93.7 The Fan on Aug. 10. “He fills up a field rating. You take a look at the field rating, and he’s doing this, this and this. … It’s been thrilling.”
It’s led to a variety of transferring for Griffin, however along with his household and girlfriend as a assist system, he’s been capable of deal with the pressures of dealing with rising ranges of competitors whereas an increasing number of folks tune in to see what he can do.
“There’s rather a lot occurring, so I simply attempt to be the place my toes are and luxuriate in the place I’m at,” Griffin mentioned. “Everyone’s been nice. Everyone within the Pirates group is superior. They make it simple. It has been a variety of transferring elements. I’m simply attempting to be the place I’m.”
It’s a wholesome mentality for him, but it surely’s laborious to fault anybody for questioning what may very well be in retailer for 2026. May he soar two ranges once more and wind up in Pittsburgh subsequent yr? Will he nonetheless be thought to be the highest Minor Leaguer within the recreation? Can he construct on this offensive efficiency and produce one thing even better?
Possibly the appropriate method is to cease asking questions, and as an alternative, get your popcorn prepared.
“It simply exhibits the laborious work and success that I’ve had, however that may change tomorrow,” Griffin mentioned about being ranked as the highest prospect. “I simply attempt to be who I’m. I am not attempting to play the video games for the rankings. I am simply attempting to play to develop as a participant and assist my staff win video games. All that stuff comes with it’s superior, however I strive to not give attention to it an excessive amount of.”
