Mississippi’s very own Konnor Griffin has been recognized among some of the best American athletes to compete in the high school ranks.
Griffin, a standout out of Jackson Prep, was honored as Mississippi’s first-ever Gatorade National Player of the Year for baseball on Thursday. The Patriot senior had his name etched among the likes of prominent sports figures who excelled in the high school ranks including Lebron James, Peyton Manning, and Alex Rodriguez.
What made the award presentation even sweeter for Griffin is that his trophy was brought to him by his father, Kevin Griffin, who made the trek to Jackson overnight after leading his Belhaven softball squad to the College World Series championship in Marshall, Texas.
“I’m super thankful for the award. I’m glad Gatorade chose me for this because they saw something in me — my baseball skills and who I am,” Griffin said.
“I wasn’t really expecting this. I was just expecting to work a baseball camp, but then I saw a bunch of cameras around. I didn’t really think anything of it, but seeing my dad bring it out to me, that was special. We have a close relationship. That’s who I train with. That’s who has helped me get to where I am. I am super thankful to have him out there.”
Konnor Griffin (@KonnorGriffin22) has been named Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year. The @JacksonPrep standout is projected as a top five pick going into next month’s MLB Draft. https://t.co/3E5WrGQamu pic.twitter.com/yhTUi8iqm8
— SuperTalk News (@SuperTalkNews) June 6, 2024
Following a stellar season as an everyday man for the Patriots, Griffin has been accredited for his hard work. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound senior shortstop, center fielder, and right-handed pitcher helped lead Jackson Prep to a 39-4 record and their seventh consecutive MAIS Class 6A state championship.
Ranked as one of the nation’s top MLB draft prospects and one of only two prep players in the country on the Golden Spikes Award watch list, he also compiled a 10-0 record on the mound with a 0.72 ERA and 107 strikeouts in 67.2 innings of work, holding opposing hitters to a .127 batting average
During the recent title run, Griffin batted .559 and successfully stole 87 bases. He also hit nine home runs to go with 39 RBI, and 76 runs scored, producing a .690 on-base percentage.
A student leader for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Griffin has volunteered locally on behalf of the Rise 2 Greatness Foundation, the Epilepsy Foundation, and as part of youth literacy initiatives in association with elementary schools in his community.
Though Griffin signed a National Letter of Intent to play baseball on scholarship at LSU this fall, he will likely toss his hat in the ring for a shot at the professional level as he is projected to be selected in the top five in July’s MLB Draft.
Griffin joins Ridgeland High School alum Bianca Knight as the state’s lone Gatorade National Player of the Year recipients. Knight was honored as the nation’s best female track and field athlete in 2006.
