Beyond his prodigious talent, Griffin's exceptional character shines, making him a respected teammate and inspiring admired admiration among his peers.
Konnor Griffin is almost too good to be true.
The Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop/center field prospect had a monstrous professional debut season last year after being selected in the first round of the amateur draft the previous summer. At 19, Griffin hit .333/.425/.517 with 21 home runs and 65 stolen bases in 122 games across three different levels of the farm system, finishing with a 21-game stint with Double-A Altoona.
Griffin was a unanimous choice for Minor League Player of the Year. Every outlet imaginable rates him as baseball’s best prospect.
Griffin will go to spring training next week with a chance of winning the Pirates’ opening-day shortstop job. At the very least, he should make his major-league debut at some point this season.
It would be hard to imagine a teenage player being any better than that. Yet those who were teammates with Griffin last year say he is an even better teammate. While a player as talented as Griffin could cause jealousy, he instead inspires admiration.
Just ask Esmerlyn Valdez. The first baseman/outfield prospect played with Griffin at High-A Greensboro and Altoona.
“First of all, a great teammate, a great guy,” Valdez said through team translator Stephen Morales. “I’ve had the pleasure of playing at different levels with him, and like I said, great teammate and awesome to have him beside me.”
Termarr Johnson understands the pressure and expectations that come with being a first-round draft pick. Pittsburgh chose the second base prospect with their first selection in 2022.
Johnson and Griffin formed the double-play combination at Altoona late last season. If things go according to plan, they will be the Pirates’ middle infielders for many years. Johnson, too, is as impressed by Griffin as a person as he is as a player.
“I mean, he can play. Everybody knows that,” Johnson said. “He has everything to back it up, but the type of teammate he is, man. I enjoy being his locker mate. I enjoy being up the middle with him. We had good conversations during the game. He kept me loose. I kept him loose. We had fun. That relationship is strong, so if we could continue on with our relationship in Pittsburgh, it would be really, really cool.”
Pittsboutfielder Jake Mangum is 10 years older than Griffin but knows him well. Both are from Flowood, Miss., and alumni of Jackson Preparatory School. Mangum and Griffin teamed in December to conduct a baseball camp in Flowood, a suburb of Jackson.
“I'll say one thing I’ve been blown away by is he's got great manners, humble kid, he's a really good role model for the kids around our community, and that's what I'm most proud about,” Mangum said. “Then you look at the baseball side of things, I don't know how to explain him, other than he's a freak. He's perfect size, perfect body, can swing the crap out of it, can run, can hit, can throw. He’s really everything you're looking for in a prospect.”
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