Mississippi native Konnor Griffin seems to be getting closer to a major-league debut, recently being named the top prospect in all of professional baseball.
Griffin, drafted ninth overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2024 after a stellar career at Jackson Prep, climbed to the peak of the MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 Prospects List after former slot-holder Roman Anthony phased out of prospect status with a month and a half of play for the Boston Red Sox.
Anthony, who was once committed to Ole Miss before deciding to turn pro out of high school, is batting .267 with two home runs and 16 RBI through 40 games as a rookie.
Griffin, on the other hand, is hoping to follow in Anthony’s footsteps soon and make the jump to the show. Between Single-A and High-A, Griffin is slashing .324/.400/.511 with 13 long balls and 42 steals in 79 games. While he’s mostly played shortstop this season, scouts believe he could eventually become a Gold Glove-caliber outfielder with the Pirates.
“Griffin has electric bat speed and well-above average foot speed, giving him 30-30 upside,” MLB.com’s Jim Callis wrote. “He also – his fastball was clocked as high as 96 mph when he pitched at Jackson Prep (Flowood, Miss.) – and moves very well at shortstop for a 6-foot-4, 225-pounder. Amateur scouts projected him as a plus defender at short and a Gold Glove in center field.”
The ascension of Griffin as a prospect is a historical rise, too. He’s the second-youngest player (19 years, three months) to grab the spot, behind only Tampa Bay Rays’ Wander Franco (18 years, five months). Griffin is also the first player to ever claim No. 1 in his debut season as a professional.
With the 2025 MLB season already halfway over, it’s doubtful Griffin will get called up this year. However, when he does, the long-struggling Pirates may be able to capitalize a turnaround on young talent. Ace Paul Skenes attained All-Star status in his first two seasons. The organization has another top-five prospect in right-handed pitcher Bubba Chandler. Left-hander Hunter Barco joins Griffin and Chandler on the top 100 prospect list, currently sitting at No. 71.
