Pirates' top prospect Konnor Griffin is one step away from monumental honor

In just half a season, 2024 Pirates first-rounder Konnor Griffin has turned into the next top prospect in all of baseball and is just 19 years old. Baseball America has taken notice, and he is now the No. 2 prospect in baseball, behind only Roman Anthony. In a few weeks, Anthony will have graduated from being a prospect, leaving Griffin as number one name in the game.

It didn't take very long for Griffin to get this honor, climbing from 57th-ranked prospect before the season to second just a half-season later. As soon as he got promoted to Greensboro, he started to hit even better across the board in every single category. His strikeout rate went from 22.9% in Low-A to 17.9% in High-A. Additionally, his batting average climbed from .338 to .343, his 6.5% walk rate moved to 10.7%, his 158 wRC+ zoomed to 177 wRC+, and a .932 OPS became a .983 OPS.

He has been incredible and his hitting tools are slowly improving. Now he has 12 home runs on the season and 37 stolen bases. His defense at shortstop and center field have both been great, too, with just three errors on the season, all coming at shortstop.

Griffin can truly do it all, and now he is getting the recognition he has earned by becoming the next top prospect in baseball. He is looking like the next star in the organization, and the Pirates were fortunate to land him with the ninth pick in the 2024 draft.

Baseball America has Pirates prospect Konnor Griffin as the next top prospect in baseball once Roman Anthony graduates.

After Paul Skenes' emergence, the Pirates have been missing a corresponding perennial All-Star in the field. Andrew McCutchen emerged in the early 2010s as that guy. Bryan Reynolds has been solid, but has only been to two All-Star games in his six seasons with the Pirates. Oneil Cruz has the talents to be that guy, but has yet to turn into that star. Griffin is showing he has the upside and tools all around to be that player for the Pirates.

If Griffin keeps things up, there is a chance he makes his MLB debut in 2026. Once he comes up, he may never go back down, and could take that shortstop position for good. Pittsburgh may even want to consider extending him now before it's too late, just like they should with Paul Skenes. It is truly remarkable what Griffin has accomplished thus far, setting up for a very exciting future.