Futures Game just one step toward Griffin's 'big goal'
Konnor Griffin's had one heck of a first year as a professional baseball player.
After being selected ninth overall in the 2024 MLB Draft out of high school, Griffin's shot up Baseball America's rankings to the No. 2 prospect in the game. In case that's not enough, he's now been rewarded for a phenomenal season, which recently included a promotion to high Class A Greensboro, with a trip to today's Futures Game at Truist Park, all at just 19 years old.
"I'm super excited," Griffin said. "I just want to represent the Pirates the best way I can, go out there, have fun, compete, soak in all the knowledge I'll get from these great coaches. I just love being around these great players, as well.
"It definitely means a lot. It shows the work I've put in this offseason leading up to spring training. I've been grinding every day, the whole season, to try and have success on the field. Luckily, I've been able to do that. This is kind of a reward to that hard work. I'm super glad to be here."
He had the who's who of Braves greats to learn from, with Chipper Jones managing the National League squad and the likes of Mark DeRosa, Andruw Jones, Tim Hudson, Tyler Flowers, Kanekoa Texeira, Nick Markakis and Peter Moylan also helping coach and mentor the young players here.
Jones gave Griffin another honor, penciling him in as his starting shortstop and batting second in the order.
"It's cool, getting to be at shortstop," Griffin said. "I'm ready to get out there. I've been working super hard to be the best shortstop I can be, and I'll get to showcase it on the big stage. I'm excited to do that."
This big stage can be a lot for a young player, especially at age 19. Griffin's not even through playing his first professional season. And, just like every other player here, he made the most of it. His entire family was on hand to watch him play, and he wore custom Mississippi cleats for the game, posted on social media by his father, Kevin Griffin:
X: BUCoachGriffin
The Mississippi-inspired cleats Konnor Griffin will wear at the Futures Game in Atlanta.
Griffin turned in a decent performance, going 1 for 2 with an infield single in three plate appearances. He would have stolen second base, but slid too far past the bag and was tagged out.
He avoided a potential disaster in his final plate appearance, take a 97-mph fastball off his right wrist. Griffin bent over immediately in pain and was pulled from the game afterward, but that was planned anyway. After x-rays, Griffin’s in the clear, including a strong handshake with this reporter.
“It’s good, it’s perfect. The guy’s competing, trying to go inside and get a strike,” Griffin said. “I’m glad I’m good. I’ll take a few days off and get back rolling with Greensboro.”
All in all, it was surely a special day, but Griffin kept his feet on the ground. Just as he's taken a humble approach while he's navigated professional baseball for the first time, this is just one step along the path toward a much bigger goal: Making it to the big leagues. And, having baseball legends such as Jones as his manager could be even more valuable than logging a couple of at-bats Saturday afternoon.
"I think coming up through the minor league process, you have to be somewhat selfish," Jones said, describing his message to the team Saturday morning. "Because you need to go out and work on the things that are going to make you a more well-rounded ballplayer, make you a more consistent ballplayer, make you a ballplayer that is worthy of being a big leaguer. Once you get to the big leagues, then it's all about Ws."
Griffin's continuing to improve throughout the season. After putting up a .932 OPS at low Class A Bradenton, he's slashed .302/.409/.490 with four home runs and 17 RBIs in 25 games with Greensboro.
Going from pre-draft skepticism to lofty expectations in the span of a calendar year isn't easy. You have to have a good head on your shoulders to handle it. And, Griffin not making too much of having today's honor is a good sign.
"It's a big honor. I know I'm blessed, but I like to stay humble," Griffin said. "This is a good sign, but I've got a lot of work to be done. I can't wait to be in the big leagues one day. That's the big goal, for sure."
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THE ASYLUM
Futures Game just one step toward Griffin's 'big goal'
Konnor Griffin's had one heck of a first year as a professional baseball player.
After being selected ninth overall in the 2024 MLB Draft out of high school, Griffin's shot up Baseball America's rankings to the No. 2 prospect in the game. In case that's not enough, he's now been rewarded for a phenomenal season, which recently included a promotion to high Class A Greensboro, with a trip to today's Futures Game at Truist Park, all at just 19 years old.
"I'm super excited," Griffin said. "I just want to represent the Pirates the best way I can, go out there, have fun, compete, soak in all the knowledge I'll get from these great coaches. I just love being around these great players, as well.
"It definitely means a lot. It shows the work I've put in this offseason leading up to spring training. I've been grinding every day, the whole season, to try and have success on the field. Luckily, I've been able to do that. This is kind of a reward to that hard work. I'm super glad to be here."
He had the who's who of Braves greats to learn from, with Chipper Jones managing the National League squad and the likes of Mark DeRosa, Andruw Jones, Tim Hudson, Tyler Flowers, Kanekoa Texeira, Nick Markakis and Peter Moylan also helping coach and mentor the young players here.
Jones gave Griffin another honor, penciling him in as his starting shortstop and batting second in the order.
"It's cool, getting to be at shortstop," Griffin said. "I'm ready to get out there. I've been working super hard to be the best shortstop I can be, and I'll get to showcase it on the big stage. I'm excited to do that."
This big stage can be a lot for a young player, especially at age 19. Griffin's not even through playing his first professional season. And, just like every other player here, he made the most of it. His entire family was on hand to watch him play, and he wore custom Mississippi cleats for the game, posted on social media by his father, Kevin Griffin:
X: BUCoachGriffin
The Mississippi-inspired cleats Konnor Griffin will wear at the Futures Game in Atlanta.
Griffin turned in a decent performance, going 1 for 2 with an infield single in three plate appearances. He would have stolen second base, but slid too far past the bag and was tagged out.
He avoided a potential disaster in his final plate appearance, take a 97-mph fastball off his right wrist. Griffin bent over immediately in pain and was pulled from the game afterward, but that was planned anyway. After x-rays, Griffin’s in the clear, including a strong handshake with this reporter.
“It’s good, it’s perfect. The guy’s competing, trying to go inside and get a strike,” Griffin said. “I’m glad I’m good. I’ll take a few days off and get back rolling with Greensboro.”
All in all, it was surely a special day, but Griffin kept his feet on the ground. Just as he's taken a humble approach while he's navigated professional baseball for the first time, this is just one step along the path toward a much bigger goal: Making it to the big leagues. And, having baseball legends such as Jones as his manager could be even more valuable than logging a couple of at-bats Saturday afternoon.
"I think coming up through the minor league process, you have to be somewhat selfish," Jones said, describing his message to the team Saturday morning. "Because you need to go out and work on the things that are going to make you a more well-rounded ballplayer, make you a more consistent ballplayer, make you a ballplayer that is worthy of being a big leaguer. Once you get to the big leagues, then it's all about Ws."
Griffin's continuing to improve throughout the season. After putting up a .932 OPS at low Class A Bradenton, he's slashed .302/.409/.490 with four home runs and 17 RBIs in 25 games with Greensboro.
Going from pre-draft skepticism to lofty expectations in the span of a calendar year isn't easy. You have to have a good head on your shoulders to handle it. And, Griffin not making too much of having today's honor is a good sign.
"It's a big honor. I know I'm blessed, but I like to stay humble," Griffin said. "This is a good sign, but I've got a lot of work to be done. I can't wait to be in the big leagues one day. That's the big goal, for sure."
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
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