Konnor Griffin is focusing on “hammering down” this spring. And it shows.
Griffin, the No. 1 prospect in baseball per MLB Pipeline, is only 19 years old, and yet he’s making a strong early case to head north with the Pirates as a member of their Opening Day roster when Grapefruit League play concludes.
With two monster home runs against the Red Sox that went out of JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Fla., last week, and another blast since then, Griffin looks ready at the plate. And on defense at shortstop and in the outfield, he’s working to be a well-rounded player at the big league level.
“Last year, I had no idea what to expect,” Griffin said in an interview with MLB Network Radio on Monday. “But I had a full offseason to prepare for this year, and it’s been good. Just glad to be playing baseball again and getting in the game. It’s been fun.”
“Fun” is a good word for it -- both if you’re Griffin or someone watching what he’s doing right now. Drafted ninth overall by Pittsburgh in the 2024 Draft, the phenom posted a .333/.415/.527 slash line with 21 home runs and 65 steals over 122 games in his first pro season last year.
Following 50 games at Class-A Bradenton and 51 at High-A Greensboro, Griffin ended the 2025 campaign at Double-A Altoona, where he had a .960 OPS with five homers in 98 plate appearances.
The level of play in the Majors is a far cry from Double-A, but Griffin is well aware.
“I knew this year there’s gonna be a higher level of pitching and different stuff like that,” he said. “So I’m just trying to get my swing ready for that.”
So far, it looks ready. Defensively, Griffin has a cannon of an arm and great speed, with the ability to play short and center field at a high level.
But he knows there’s always more work to put in, especially when you’re on the cusp of reaching the big leagues.
“On the defensive side, just keep hammering down on the fundamentals,” he said, “and just making sure I’m ready to go on that side, too.”
COMPLETE PIRATES PROSPECT COVERAGE
Whether it’s hammering baseballs at the plate or hammering down on fundamentals in the field, Griffin sure looks the part right now.
While it remains to be seen whether he’ll be on the Bucs’ Opening Day roster, there is a lot of reason for the excitement and buzz surrounding him this spring. As to the pressure of being as talented as he is and trying to earn an MLB roster spot out of camp, Griffin said he’s just trying to stay where his feet are.
“Just show up laser-focused, ready to work and attack the day,” he said. “Not worrying about the outcome, just worry about where I’m at today.
“ … The success has helped build confidence in me, but still a long spring to go and I know there’s gonna be some adversity. Just trying to take it day by day, attack those challenges and see what the spring holds for me.”