Pirates Prospect Update: Konnor Griffin, Termarr Johnson, Hunter Barco

To say that Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Konnor Griffin has "plus speed" would be a massive undersell.

Griffin, the Pirates' No. 2 prospect and the No. 40 prospect in baseball according to MLB Pipeline, has already stolen 10 bases in his first 13 games of pro ball with Single-A Bradenton this season. That includes the three bases he stole in a single game Sunday against Fort Myers.

The steals aren't the only way he's showcasing his speed, either. Earlier this month, Griffin hit a triple that saw him go from home to third base in 11.44 seconds. That’s faster than any MLB right-handed hitter, and behind only two lefties in the Arizona Diamondbacks' Corbin Carroll (11.22) and the Boston Red Sox's Jarren Duran (11.42).

The No. 9 overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, Griffin has slashed .235/.344/.412 for an OPS of .756 in 13 games so far, with 12 hits, one double, one triple, two home runs, eight RBI and six walks.

Pirates Prospect Update: Konnor Griffin, Termarr Johnson, Hunter Barco

Griffin isn't the only prospect in the Pirates' farm system who has gotten off to a hot start this season.

Pittsburgh's No. 4 prospect, Termarr Johnson, smacked his second home run of the season for Double-A Altoona on Tuesday. He is hitting .245/.344/.396 through 13 games, and he has collected six RBI, eight walks and five stolen bases during that span.

The Pirates selected Johnson at No. 4 overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, due in large part to his above-average power and plate discipline. They'd probably like to see that batting average get a little higher, but they hope that his raw power and pitch recognition can translate to the big leagues as soon as 2026.

In the same game in which Johnson hit his second homer, left-hander Hunter Barco made his fourth start of the season for Altoona. He went 4 2/3 innings, giving up two hits, walking two and striking out eight.

The 24-year-old has not allowed a run through 17 2/3 innings pitched this season, and he is one of four qualified pitchers at the Double-A level with a 0.00 ERA. He has an 0.42 career ERA with Altoona dating back to his Double-A debut in 2024.

Barco impressed at big league spring training this year with an expanded pitch arsenal and increased velocity. Though he has yet to pitch at the Triple-A level, he could potentially be on the Pirates' major league radar this season if he continues to dominate down on the farm.

More Pirates content from Rum Bunter