After being drafted No. 9 overall in last month’s MLB Draft, Jackson Prep alumnus Konnor Griffin is officially a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.
Griffin flew to the Steel City last week and inked his first professional deal, one that included a $6.5 million signing bonus. During the trip, Griffin was shown around Pittsburgh but most importantly, he was introduced to the ballpark where he hopes to suit up in front of thousands of cheering fans one day.
“The first thing I noticed was PNC Park is absolutely beautiful,” Griffin said during an interview on SportsTalk Mississippi. “That backdrop is real, and it looks amazing. That was probably the first thing, taking the whole thing in. I was really just thinking about seeing myself playing on that field one day. I know it may take a few years to get to the big leagues, but I can’t wait to call that my home and be able to play on that field every single day.”
While Griffin would like to find himself in the big leagues sooner rather than later – especially with Pittsburgh being known as an organization not to bog prospects down in the minor leagues – the 18-year-old understands that patience is key to becoming an everyday MLB player.
“The good thing about the Pirates is if you’re playing good, they’re going to move you through the system,” he noted. “It definitely is going to be a grind, and it may take me a little longer since I’m a high school guy. But I know that here in a few years, at least in how we’re planning it, I’ll be in the big leagues in three or four years.”
Griffin will begin his professional journey in Bradenton, Fla., as part of the Florida Instructional League. After 22 games between now and mid-September, he will return to Mississippi for a few weeks before heading back southeast for more developmental work. Then, he will have a shot at showing his worth when the Pirates convene for spring training in February 2025.
“I’m ready to go, and hopefully next spring, I’ll cruise through spring training and then go off to low A, high A, or whatever they want to start me at. We’ll see how it goes, but I know it’s going to be a fun journey,” Griffin said. “I’m just glad I landed in a great organization and with the team that wanted me the most.”
A two-way player in high school, Griffin is shaping out to be a shortstop in the big leagues. However, if he has to move to the outfield, the budding star said he wouldn’t be opposed to it.
After reclassifying from the class of 2025 to the class of 2024 following his freshman season, Griffin batted .548 with 110 hits, 69 RBI, and 17 home runs over his final two seasons at Jackson Prep. On top of leading the Patriots to state championships every year he was in the program, he was named the Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year after his senior season.
