Pirates’ Konnor Griffin Impresses In Double-A Debut, Climbs In Top-100 Ranking

Konnor Griffin made his Double-A debut Tuesday and the Pittsburgh Pirates’ top prospect didn’t disappoint. He went 1-for-4 with one RBI and one run scored in the Altoona Curve’s 6-5 win over the Reading Fightin Phils. The 19-year-old singled in his first at-bat and promptly stole second base.

“I didn’t know what to expect,” Griffin said, according to MLB.com’s Alex Stumpf. “I was just ready to get my pro career started and things have been going good, so I’m just thankful to be here.”

The stolen base was his 60th of the season: 26 with Bradenton in FSL, 33 with High-A Greensboro and one with Double-A Altoona.

“I started to steal as many bags as I could in high school, and it’s kind of translated over to pro ball,” Griffin said, according to Stumpf. “I try to be aggressive. I try to get on base and get going.”

The shortstop has lived up to the hype after being the Pirates’ first-round pick, No. 9 overall, in 2024. He started 2025 at Bradenton and hit .338 with nine home runs in 50 games.

That earned him a ticket to Greensboro, where he continued to sizzle, hitting .325 with seven home runs in 51 games. So the Pirates advanced Griffin last week to Double-A. For the season, he has 16 home runs and 73 RBIs in 102 games.

“There’s a lot going on, so I just try to be where my feet are and enjoy where I’m at,” Griffin said, per Stumpf. “Everybody’s been great. Everybody in the Pirates organization is awesome. They make it easy. It has been a lot of moving parts. I’m just trying to be where I am.”

Last week, MLB Pipeline released its updated list of the top 100 prospects and Griffin ranked No. 1 overall. On Wednesday, ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel updated his list of the top prospects and also had Griffin at the head of the class.

“I compared Griffin’s upside to Fernando Tatis Jr. at draft time and he’s following that plan, but with even better early reports on his shortstop defense and patience,” McDaniel wrote. “Griffin is a plus-plus runner and thrower who can be average to above defensively almost anywhere on the field and has 30-homer upside, especially if he can lift the ball a bit more.”

“It just shows the hard work and success that I’ve had, but that can change tomorrow,” Griffin said, according to Stumpf. “I just try to be who I am. I’m not trying to play the games for the rankings. I’m just trying to play to grow as a player and help my team win games. All that stuff comes with it is awesome, but I try not to focus on it too much.”

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