Could Konnor Griffin Be Baseball’s No. 1 Prospect?
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Is Konnor Griffin Baseball’s Next No. 1 Prospect?
Griffin ranked No. 18 in our Top 100 update in early June, and he’s been scorching hot ever since — slashing .463/.516/.722 in a dozen games, mostly at High-A.
His most significant early struggles came against secondary pitches. Over his first 25 games, Griffin batted just .143 with a 54% contact rate on non-fastballs. But in his last 32 games, he’s crushed secondaries to the tune of .434/.464/.641 with a 74% contact rate.
Even as the quality of pitching has improved, Griffin’s development hasn’t skipped a beat. His ability to adjust on the fly is the hallmark of elite prospects, and now that the hit tool looks at least average, his ceiling is sky-high.
With rare size, explosive tools, a mature offensive approach, and impact defense at multiple up-the-middle positions, Griffin has the makeup of a future No. 1 prospect in baseball.
The post Konnor Griffin is Looking Like Baseball’s Next No. 1 Prospect appeared first on Just Baseball.
The Pirates’ Bet on Raw Tools is Paying Off
When the Pirates selected Konnor Griffin ninth overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, they were betting on one of the most tantalizing toolsets in the class. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 215 pounds at 18, Griffin brought elite athleticism, above-average speed, and even two-way potential on the mound.
The biggest question? His bat. Griffin struggled with consistency at the plate during the summer circuit, where his swing appeared rushed and disjointed. He often battled his own mechanics, relying on athletic ability to survive rather than thrive.
Fast forward to today, and Griffin is starting to look like a future franchise cornerstone — largely thanks to a revamped swing and an advanced approach far beyond his years.
Thanks to Just Baseball for the stats, analysis, and insights for this slideshow article.
A Swing Overhaul Fuels a Breakout
Before playing a single professional game, Griffin was already hard at work retooling his swing. He used the 2024 offseason to completely reshape his mechanics while packing on 15 pounds of lean muscle.
His setup now begins wider, with his hands set slightly higher. He’s engaging his lower half more efficiently, creating better hip-shoulder separation and improved balance through the load. Gone is the "tall-and-fall" motion and rushed trigger; in its place is a more grounded, fluid move into launch position.
The result? Griffin looks significantly more in control, with earlier barrel turn, a wider margin for contact, and a longer time on plane. The athleticism was always elite — now it’s being fully harnessed.
Even more impressive than the adjustments themselves is how willingly and effectively he made them before facing professional adversity. That speaks volumes about Griffin’s work ethic and makeup.
The Numbers Back the Hype
Griffin's production has been jaw-dropping. Across 57 games split between Low-A and High-A, he’s slashing .345/.404/.559 with 11 home runs, 27 extra-base hits, 32 stolen bases, and a 21% strikeout rate.
The underlying metrics are even more eye-opening. His 90th percentile exit velocity of 108.5 MPH ranks among the best for any teenage prospect, and his hard-hit rate exceeds 50%, crushing the Florida State League average of 34%.
Griffin’s in-zone contact rate (84%) and overall contact rate (75%) reflect a bat that’s no longer in question. Since May 1st, he’s taken it to another level: hitting .387/.443/.581, with an 86% in-zone contact rate, a reduced 16% strikeout rate, and 17 extra-base hits.
In short, he’s hitting everything — and doing it with patience, authority, and control.
A Defensive Star at Two Premium Spots
Griffin entered pro ball with shortstop potential but long-term center field appeal. So far, he’s making the Pirates’ decision tough — in the best way. He’s started 38 games at shortstop and eight in center, excelling at both.
Despite his size, Griffin shows soft hands, a lightning-quick first step, and natural instincts at short. His former pitching background — where he touched the mid-90s — shows his arm strength and ability to throw from all angles.
In center field, he eats up ground effortlessly with long strides and athletic jumps. His defense at both spots has been so polished that Pittsburgh may already be mapping his big-league timeline — and a 2026 debut doesn’t seem unrealistic.
The only current roadblock? Oneil Cruz, who’s turning heads in center himself. But with Griffin’s versatility, the Pirates have options — and that’s a good problem to have.
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Is Konnor Griffin Baseball’s Next No. 1 Prospect?
Griffin ranked No. 18 in our Top 100 update in early June, and he’s been scorching hot ever since — slashing .463/.516/.722 in a dozen games, mostly at High-A.
His most significant early struggles came against secondary pitches. Over his first 25 games, Griffin batted just .143 with a 54% contact rate on non-fastballs. But in his last 32 games, he’s crushed secondaries to the tune of .434/.464/.641 with a 74% contact rate.
Even as the quality of pitching has improved, Griffin’s development hasn’t skipped a beat. His ability to adjust on the fly is the hallmark of elite prospects, and now that the hit tool looks at least average, his ceiling is sky-high.
With rare size, explosive tools, a mature offensive approach, and impact defense at multiple up-the-middle positions, Griffin has the makeup of a future No. 1 prospect in baseball.
The post Konnor Griffin is Looking Like Baseball’s Next No. 1 Prospect appeared first on Just Baseball.
The Pirates’ Bet on Raw Tools is Paying Off
When the Pirates selected Konnor Griffin ninth overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, they were betting on one of the most tantalizing toolsets in the class. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 215 pounds at 18, Griffin brought elite athleticism, above-average speed, and even two-way potential on the mound.
The biggest question? His bat. Griffin struggled with consistency at the plate during the summer circuit, where his swing appeared rushed and disjointed. He often battled his own mechanics, relying on athletic ability to survive rather than thrive.
Fast forward to today, and Griffin is starting to look like a future franchise cornerstone — largely thanks to a revamped swing and an advanced approach far beyond his years.
Thanks to Just Baseball for the stats, analysis, and insights for this slideshow article.
