Konnor Griffin isn’t just baseball’s consensus top prospect; he’s the centerpiece bat the Pittsburgh Pirates are building their future around, while Paul Skenes anchors the rotation. From a jaw-dropping BP display to a historic minor-league rise, the camp buzz is building his case for the Pirates’ Opening Day roster.
MLB Top Prospect Konnor Griffin Crushes Home Runs at Pittsburgh Pirates Spring Training
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette beat writer Jason Mackey put it simply on Monday: “Konnor Griffin just hit two buildings in one round of batting practice. First swing here lands atop the batting cages beyond left field. The shorter of the two. Unreal.”
That’s the kind of raw power on display that has the entire Pirates organization buzzing — and it’s not even close to the most impressive thing this 19-year-old has done in the past 12 months. Earlier in camp, Griffin stepped into the box against reigning NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes and lined a slider into left field after making quick adjustments. At 19.
Konnor Griffin Draws Praise from Paul Skenes
Let’s talk about the numbers, because they’re borderline absurd. Griffin slashed .333/.415/.527 across three levels in his pro debut last season — Single-A Bradenton through Double-A Altoona — with 21 home runs, 94 RBI, 65 stolen bases, and a Minors-leading 165 wRC+.
His 20-60 season was just the fifth in history, and he did it all as a teenager. MLB Pipeline gave him a 70 overall grade — one of just 16 hitters to ever receive that distinction — with all five tools grading out at plus (60) or better.
The scouting world can barely contain itself. One longtime NL executive told MLB Pipeline that Griffin’s tools are “similar to A-Rod’s” and called him “super-impressive, with power and speed off the charts.” Paul Skenes himself said you’d never guess Griffin is 19 by interacting with him, calling him “super mature, super professional” and adding, “I’m excited to have him help us win a lot of games in Pittsburgh this year.”
Could Griffin Make the Pirates’ Opening Day Roster?
That’s the million-dollar question. MLB Pipeline’s Jonathan Mayo gives Griffin 50/50 odds to break camp with the big league club, noting there’s no shortstop blocking him outright — Nick Gonzales has primarily been a second baseman throughout his career.
Manager Don Kelly hasn’t ruled it out either, telling reporters, “I’m really excited about the day he is in Pittsburgh,” before catching himself and adding, “Let’s just see how it all plays out.” The service time calculus is real, but so is the kid’s talent.
Konnor Griffin and Paul Skenes Could Shift Pirates Future Together
The Pirates were named offseason winners by ESPN’s Jeff Passan after trading for Brandon Lowe and pushing their payroll toward $100 million for the first time following the signing of Marcell Ozuna. With Skenes anchoring the rotation, Bryan Reynolds locked in, and O’Neil Cruz providing such a raw ceiling, the infrastructure is finally there for a real contender in the NL Central.
Griffin is a major piece — a possible generational bat that turns a good roster into a dangerous one. And if those batting practice bombs off buildings at Pirate City are any indication, the wait might not be much longer.
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