The Pittsburgh Pirates have inked a deal with Konnor Griffin, their first-round selection and the ninth overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft. At just 18 years old, Griffin is making waves as the first high school player grabbed in this year's draft, an accomplishment that has not gone unnoticed in the baseball community, as reported by MLB.
Baseball America honored the shortstop with the title of High School Player of the Year for 2024, and both MLB Pipeline and Baseball America agreed on his ranking as the No. 9 prospect. Griffin, a product of Jackson Preparatory School in Flowood, Mississippi, showcases a robust .559 batting average, along with a smattering of extra-base hits – including 13 doubles, four triples, and nine home runs, resulting in 39 RBIs, as detailed by WPXI.
Griffin's athleticism on the field didn't stop at batting, as he also demonstrated his prowess on the mound with an outstanding 10-0 record, a 0.72 ERA, and 107 strikeouts in just 67.2 innings pitched. These impressive statistics certainly played into his receiving the prestigious awards of Gatorade’s National Player of the Year and the MaxPreps Player of the Year in 2024.
Baseball America also placed Griffin at the top of several categories, dubbing him the “Best Athlete”, second in “Best Power,” “Best Defensive Outfielder,” and fourth in “Best Speed”. Griffin's speed was on full display with his staggering 85 stolen bases during his last season with Jackson Prep, as reported by WPXI.
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