Prospect watch: 2024 1st-round pick Konnor Griffin flashes speed, power for Bradenton

Prospect Watch

Konnor Griffin

Position: SS/CF

Height: 6-4 Weight: 225

Level: Low-A Bradenton

Griffin made a dynamic debut by going 2 for 4 with a walk, two stolen bases and two runs scored for the Marauders at Dayton, only to strike out five times in going hitless over his next two games.

Then the 2024 first-round pick out of Jackson Prep in Flowood, Miss., had a six-game stretch that showed why he’s the Pirates’ No. 2 prospect and ranked 40th by MLB Pipeline and 48th by Baseball America.

Griffin batted .313/.400/.875 with a double, a triple, two home runs and seven RBIs from April 8-15. Those weren’t even the most impressive numbers. His single against Palm Beach on April 9 was recorded at a 114.5-mph exit velocity, which would have ranked 12th among the hardest hits in the major leagues this year.

Two days later, Griffin showed off his speed with a triple that saw him go from home to third base in 11.44 seconds. That’s faster than any MLB right-handed hitter and behind only Arizona’s Corbin Carroll (11.22) and Boston’s Jarren Duran (11.42).

Griffin has played shortstop in eight games and served as designated hitter in two others but is expected to spend time in center field, where he made a spectacular catch in a Grapefruit League game during spring training. He needs to reduce his 43.6% strikeout rate (17 in 39 at-bats) but has shown a propensity for extra-base hits and making big plays.