Pirates Prospect Update: Konnor Griffin, Esmerlyn Valdez earn Baseball America honors

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Pittsburgh Pirates 2024 first round pick Konnor Griffin has absolutely dominated in his first taste of High-A baseball.

In nine games his promotion from Single-A Bradenton less than two weeks ago, the 19-year-old is slashing .390/.447/.659 with five doubles and a pair of home runs at High-A Greensboro. His first week following his promotion was particularly impressive, as he slashed .407/.469/.778 for an OPS of 1.247 with two home runs, four doubles, eight RBI, three walks and six stolen bases on seven attempts in six games. He's struck out just twice.

Griffin also had four multi-hit games in his first five games with Greensboro, earning him South Atlantic League Player of the Week honors in his first week of High-A action.

Before his promotion, Griffin slashed .338/.396/.536 for a .932 OPS with 49 runs on 70 hits in 207 at-bats with Single-A Bradenton. He smacked 10 doubles, two triples and nine home runs for 36 RBI and stole 26 bases on 30 attempts.

Griffin led all Florida State League hitters with 207 at-bats, plus total bases (111), runs, hits and batting average. He ranked second in home runs, stolen bases and slugging percentage and tied for second in RBI and OPS.

Pirates Prospect Update: Konnor Griffin, Esmerlyn Valdez earn Baseball America honors

Griffin also ranked No. 2 on Baseball America's Hot Sheet Prospect Rankings for the week of June 16, along with fellow Pirates prospect and Greensboro teammate Esmerlyn Valdez.

Despite not ranking among the Pirates' Top 30 prospects according to MLB Pipeline, Valdez has had one of the hottest bats in Pittsburgh's farm system this season. His 17 home runs are tied with Seattle Mariners prospect Lazaro Montes for the most in High-A.

After leading the Florida State League with 22 home runs for Bradenton last season, Valdez is slashing .309/.393/.593 and leading Greensboro hitters with a .986 OPS in his first season at the High-A level. He represented the Pirates in the 2025 Spring Breakout game in March, where he picked up one of the team's four hits.

Though Valdez is not currently among the Pirates' top-ranked prospects, that could soon change if he continues to stay hot at the plate for Greensboro this season.

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