Pirates Select SS Konnor Griffin Ninth Overall in MLB Draft

By Stephen Riale

July 14, 2024

The Pittsburgh Pirates have selected shortstop Konnor Griffin out of Jackson Prep School in Mississippi with the ninth overall pick in Sunday’s MLB Draft.

The Pirates selected Griffin, 18, after a successful high school career. He led the Jackson Prep Patriots to a seventh consecutive Mississippi State title back in May, alongside receiving the National Gatorade High School Player of the Year award. He did this while hitting .559 on 66 hits, in 43 games with a .690 OBP, and 39 RBI. Griffin also pitched for the Patriots racking up a 0.72 ERA and going 10-0. He also notably went 87-for-88 on stolen base attempts last season. Griffin committed to play college baseball for LSU prior to the draft.

Long-term Vision

The Pirates, with Griffin, are hoping for someone who can help their lackluster hitting and average fielding. Griffin’s High School performances have shown that he has upside as someone who can hit for both power and contact. His arm strength has been consistently elite in his high school performances. This combined with his speed has led to him being touted by several scouts as someone with “30-30 upside.” Alongside this, he was also described as having “Gold Glove” potential with his fielding. Griffin achieved a .956 fielding percentage on 114 TC last season for Jackson Prep.

That tool kit is likely what made him so enticing for the Pirates’ front office. Through 2024 so far, the Pirates’ hitting ranks fourth worst in the league in batting average and OBP and third worst in slugging percentage and OPS.

Pirates Future Outlook with Konnor Griffin

Griffin is joining what MLB.com ranked as the ninth best farm system in baseball prior to the season. The Pirates currently have three prospects ranked inside of the top 100 in pitcher Bubba Chandler (no. 51), infielder Termarr Johnson (no. 76) and pitcher Anthony Solometo (no. 77). The Pirates’ first round selection last season, pitcher Paul Skenes, has already established himself as one of the league’s premier pitchers and will be starting in Tuesday’s All-Star Game.