‘It’s Just Like Popcorn, People Pop at Different Times,’ Konnor Griffin Becomes Youngest Player in Curve History
ALTOONA – Konnor Griffin’s rapid ascension through the Pittsburgh Pirates’ organization brought him to Double-A Altoona a mere 13 months after he was drafted.
The Pirates took Griffin with the ninth pick in last year’s draft. After cruising through Low-A Bradenton and High-A Greensboro, Griffin was promoted to Altoona on Monday.
“I didn’t know what to expect,” he said when asked if he thought he could climb this high this early. “I was just ready to get my pro career started and things have been going good, so I’m just thankful to be here.
It’s rare to see a player drafted out of high school reach Double-A as quickly as Griffin has, but his performance warranted his second promotion in a little over two months.
Griffin hit .338 with a .932 OPS, 10 doubles, two triples, nine home runs, 36 RBI and 26 steals in 50 games with Bradenton. He followed the sizzling start to his professional career by slashing .325/.432/.510 with 11 doubles, two triples, seven home runs, and 33 steals in 51 games with Greensboro.
“Just being the same person every day. Showing up and putting in the work. Just enjoying the journey. It’s been fun so far,” he said on his early success. “There’s been some challenges, but just trying to overcome them every day, overcome adversity and see where it takes me.”
His prize for what? Becoming the youngest player in Altoona Curve history, reaching the Pirates’ Double-A affiliate at 19 years, three months and 26 days. The previous youngest was Andrew McCutchen, who made it to Altoona at 19 years, 10 months and five days.
“That’s pretty cool to think about, the player that McCutchen turned into,” Griffin said. “Just trying to be like that. Trying to go out and compete. My age really doesn’t matter, so I’m just gonna try and go out there and be the baseball player that I am.”
Through his first 101 games as a professional, Griffin carries a .332 batting average and a .937 OPS as he heads to Altoona. He will make his Double-A debut on Tuesday night against the Reading Fightin Phils at Peoples Natural Gas Field in Altoona.
“It’s impressive. It’s just like popcorn,” Altoona manager Andy Fox said on Griffin’s early arrival. “People pop at different times. He’s just an early popper.”
In addition to what he’s done at the plate and on the basepaths, Griffin has impressed with his defensive ability. At the time he was drafted, the then 18-year-old was viewed as someone who was athletic enough to handle either center field and shortstop.
Though he’s dabbled in center field this season, Griffin has mostly played shortstop, and he’s viewed as the shortstop of the future in Pittsburgh, even if it’s not his most natural position.
“I’ve worked really hard at short,” he said. “Center field probably comes more natural but I’ve been putting in a lot of work at shortstop just trying to look natural and feel good. It’s been going good so far.”
Though his career in affiliated baseball has only spanned a few months, Griffin feels like he’s already become a more well-rounded player.
“I feel like I’ve become a more mature player,” he said of his young career. “Hitting and on the defensive side, I just feel like there’s been some steps that I’ve taken that I didn’t see myself taking so soon, but it’s been good. Just enjoy every day. Just trying to work hard.”
Griffin, who is considered the top prospect in the league by both MLB Pipeline and Baseball America, is obviously a big part of the Pirates’ future. Given how quickly he’s already reached Double-A, that future could become the present in the not-too-distant future.
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