Pirates promote top prospect Konnor Griffin to Double A as breakout season continues

Pittsburgh Pirates top prospect Konnor Griffin is moving up to Double A, his third level in his first professional season. The 19-year-old shortstop/centerfielder has hit .332/.414/.524 with 16 homers and 59 stolen bases in 101 games divided between the Low-A and High-A levels so far this season.

Griffin, the No. 9 pick in last year’s draft, recently ranked as the No. 10 prospect in baseball in Keith Law’s midseason top-60 MLB prospect rankings.

The 6-foot-4, 225-pound native of Jackson, Miss., made quick work of the Low-A Florida State League to start the season, hitting .338/.396/.536 in 50 games in a league that has historically favored pitchers. He improved at the plate after making the jump to High A, cutting his strikeout rate from 22.94 percent to 19.6 percent and nearly doubling his walk rate from 6.5 percent to 11.97 percent. He also continued to hit for average and power, batting .325/.432/.510 in 51 games. He currently ranks ninth amongst all minor leaguers in stolen bases.

There were questions about Griffin’s hit tool going into the 2024 MLB Draft, but he’s answered those against lower-level pitching. Now he’ll get to test his skills against pitchers on average four years his senior.

“Griffin had the best package of tools in the 2024 draft class, potentially 80s in speed, arm strength and power, but most scouts had serious questions about whether he could hit between the awful competition he faced in Mississippi and the severe arm bar he has at the plate,” Law wrote in his midseason prospect ranking.

“He has hit unbelievably well, given those concerns. The arm bar is still there and a huge concern; maybe he’s just so athletic and quick-handed that he can get away with that where others can’t.”

Due to his size, many scouts assumed Griffin would project more as an outfielder long term, but he has thus far handled the shortstop position better than many expected. He’s played nearly 75 percent of his games at shortstop, while splitting his time between center field and DH in his other outings.

(Photo of Konnor Griffin: Charles LeClaire / Imagn Images)