MLB prospect expert gives Pirates fans reason to be excited about top position player

When the Pittsburgh Pirates selected Konnor Griffin at No. 9 overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, they were betting on what MLB Pipeline called "arguably the loudest tools in the entire Draft class." Fast forward to today, and that bet already appears to be paying off.

Griffin has more than a dozen games under his belt at the High-A level since his promotion from Single-A Bradenton earlier this month, and his production hasn't slowed down in the slightest. His .339/.444/.576 line in 15 games with High-A Greensboro is nearly identical to the .338/.396/.536 line he posted through 50 games at Single-A before his promotion, displaying a remarkable level of consistency for a young player whose swing was arguably his biggest question mark when he entered his first season of pro ball.

In a recent appearance on SportsNet Pittsburgh, Jonathan Mayo of MLB Pipeline speculated that Griffin's June promotion may not be his last in 2025.

"I would be surprised if he doesn't earn another promotion before the year is over," Mayo said. "Let's let him spend a little more time in Greensboro, but I have a feeling that he's just going to keep putting up numbers."

MLB prospect expert gives Pirates fans reason to be even more excited about Konnor Griffin

It's still early, but it's looking like the Pirates were right to bet on Griffin's raw skills. Some early mechanical adjustments to his swing have allowed him to harness his full potential rather than relying on his raw athletic ability, and he has shown an advanced approach beyond his years.

"The approach has been better in Greensboro than it was in Bradenton, where I think he could swing at everything," Mayo said. "The pitching's a little better (at High-A)."

In addition to his jaw-dropping production at the plate, Griffin is polished defensively at both center field and shortstop. Depending on how the Pirates may want to him, a 2026 MLB debut may not be out of the question for the 19-year-old slugger.

"I kind of see that he's going to end the season in Altoona, which puts him on a path to maybe be in the big leagues at some point next year," Mayo said. "You don't want to go too far ahead, but he is way ahead of, I think, where anyone thought he would be for a guy who was sort of very toolsy but raw. So, he's a guy that I think we'll definitely see move again."

Griffin currently ranks as the No. 32 in all of baseball according to MLB Pipeline, and the No. 2 prospect in the Pirates' system. SportsNet Pittsburgh host Rob King said, half-jokingly, at the end of the interview with Mayo that Griffin could be ranked as high as No. 2 in all of baseball next year if he continues to produce the way he has in 2025.

Mayo said, without hesitation, "You're not wrong."

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