LSU Connection Already Had Konnor Griffin Impressed With Pirates’ Star

PITTSBURGH — After selecting Paul Skenes out of LSU with the top pick in the 2023 draft, the Pittsburgh Pirates used their 2024 first-round selection on a player who otherwise would have been playing in college for the Tigers.

The Pirates used the ninth pick in this year’s draft on high-schooler Konnor Griffin, who signed his contract on Wednesday. Griffin was formally introduced in a press conference at PNC Park later in the day.

“It’s a dream to sign your name on the contract and put a pro jersey on,” he explained. “Just super thankful for the people that helped me get here and it feels great. Super excited, ready to get going and ready to try to start my track to the big leagues.”

Griffin was rated as MLB Pipeline’s No. 9 prospect in the 2024 draft class. After an outstanding senior season, Griffin was named Gatorade’s National Player of the Year as well as the MaxPreps Player of the Year in 2024.

Though he’s only officially been a member of the organization for a few hours, he’s already become a fan of the Pirates.

“The team’s on a great track right now,” Griffin said. “Getting to the playoffs, hopefully everything goes well the rest of the season. There’s a lot of great things I’ve been hearing. Been watching the Pirates over the last few weeks and when you’ve got guys like Paul Skenes that come in and bring a ton of energy and get the crowd involved, it’s really fun to watch.”

It’s no surprise to learn that Griffin has already taken notice of Skenes. He joins the rest of the baseball world in watching the right-hander’s meteoric rise to already becoming one of the top pitchers in the sport.

It’s even less of a surprise considering Skenes saw his draft stock soar while leading LSU to the 2023 College World Series Championship. Griffin committed to play at LSU on Dec. 15, 2022, so he’s been following Skenes with a deep allegiance to Baton Rouge, La., even without ever putting on the purple and gold.

“Being an LSU guy, I love watching Paul Skenes,” he said. “I watched him make his debut and I’ve tried to keep up with all the games he’s played in … He’s a great player. He’s done so much for Pittsburgh already and he’s only been here for not even a full year yet. He made the All-Star Game, started in the All-Star Game and that was super cool to see that. That doesn’t happen often, especially with a rookie.”

Now both players are in the same organization. Griffin’s road to the big leagues won’t be as fast as Skenes’ accelerated accession. As an 18-year-old out of high school, it will be at least a few seasons before Griffin is ready to join forces with the Pirates’ ace in the major leagues.

Fortunately for Griffin, he will not have to face the imposing Skenes. However, the thought of stepping into the batter’s box against Skenes understandably leaves the Pirates’ 2024 first-rounder perplexed.

“Be ready to hit the fastball. Now he’s throwing a splinker,” Griffin said when asked what his approach would be against Skenes. “I don’t know, he’s tough to hit. I don’t know how guys barrel up balls off of him, but I guess you just better be aggressive and hit something in the zone.

Considering the talent of both players, the duo paints a bright future for the Pirates. For now, Griffin is focused on what he has to do in order to eventually call Skenes his teammate. It all starts at Pirate City in Bradenton, Fla.

“I can’t wait to start this process,” he said. “I know it’s going to be a tough process, there’s going to be adversity, but, I’m ready to face that. I’m ready to take the challenges and get started.”