The Pittsburgh Pirates are in dire need of offensive production, and this is no secret. They were swept in the three-game series after falling asleep in Seattle after defeating the Cardinals 13-0 at PNC Park.
They failed to score a single run. For the first time in Major League Baseball history, a team swept an opponent without giving up a run and was swept by an opponent without scoring in back-to-back series.
Additionally, the Pirates went 26 games without scoring four runs or more. It set a new MLB record. This season’s theme is “Expect the Unexpected,” a reference to the popular reality series “Big Brother” on CBS.
With Konnor Griffin, that might be the catchphrase.
Pittsburgh — Konnor Griffin, a prized prospect for the Pittsburgh Pirates, is having a fantastic first season in the minor leagues and may not be there for long.
Griffin, a graduate of Jackson Preparatory School in Jackson, Mississippi, was selected by the Pirates with the ninth overall choice in the 2024 MLB Draft. They persuaded him to renounce his commitment to LSU by signing him for $6,216,600.
With a.338/.396/.536 slash line for an OPS of.932, 49 runs, 70 hits in 207 at-bats, 111 total bases, 10 doubles, two triples, nine home runs, 26 stolen bases on 30 tries, 36 RBIs, 15 walks, and 53 strikeouts in 2025, Griffin was a standout player with Single-A Bradenton.
In the beginning of June, he was one of the top hitters in the Florida State League, ranking first with 207 at-bats, second in home runs, stolen bases, and slugging percentage, tied for second in RBIs and OPS, and seventh in on-base percentage.
The Pirates promoted Griffin to Greensboro on June 10, and he has performed incredibly well so far in his first month with the team.
He demonstrated his abilities at this level by recording four multi-hit performances in his first five games at High-A. He also hit home runs in consecutive games against the Atlanta Braves’ High-A affiliate, the Rome Emperors.
For his efforts that week, Griffin was named the South Atlantic League Player of the Week, placing him among the top players in the division right away.
His performances earned him a spot in the 2025 All-Star Futures Game, putting him amongst the best prospects in baseball.
With 29 hits in 90 at-bats, six doubles, four home runs, 17 RBIs, 12 walks to 22 strikeouts, and 14 stolen bases on 18 attempts, he has slashed.322/.421/.522 for an OPS of.943 in 23 games at Greensboro.
Drafted No. 9 overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Griffin was the first high school player selected and considered one of the best athletes in the class.
He might advance to the major leagues before guys three years his senior.
In 2025, Griffin has blown the cover off the ball.
Griffin, who began at Single-A Bradenton, smashed.338/.396/.536 in 50 games with a.932 OPS, 10 doubles, 9 home runs, 36 RBIs, and 26 steals.
Early in June, he was promoted to High-A Greensboro as a result of his success. All Griffin has done is hit.
The 225-pound, 6-foot-4 shortstop/center fielder hasn’t faltered. The 19-year-old Griffin is slicing. 322/.421/.522 with a 23-game OPS of.943.
Griffin was once again listed as baseball’s 13th-best prospect by MLB Pipeline. When a fan suggested that the Pirates wouldn’t call him up because of Super Two and the potential loss of a year of service time, Mayo answered.
In late August, Mayo advised, “call him up, make sure he doesn’t go over the rookie status limit (45 days service time; 130 ABs), then he makes Opening Day roster in 2027 and possibly gets them a PPI pick.” “Win-win! ;)”
Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony, who is expected to graduate from the prospect list later this season, is regarded as the top prospect by Baseball America, with Griffin coming in second.
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