Konnor Griffin MLB Draft: Pittsburgh Pirates Select Top Prep Talent at No. 9

The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Konnor Griffin with the ninth overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, securing the Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year.

The Pittsburgh Pirates officially selected Konnor Griffin with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 210 pounds, the shortstop and outfielder from Jackson Preparatory School in Mississippi entered the professional ranks as the highest-drafted high school player in his class. During his senior campaign, Griffin posted a .559 batting average across 43 games, recording 66 hits and 76 runs scored. His offensive output included nine home runs, 13 doubles, and one triple, contributing to a staggering 1.712 OPS. On the basepaths, the right-handed hitter successfully converted 85 of 87 stolen base attempts, leading his team to a 39-4 record and a sixth consecutive MAIS 6A state championship.

Beyond his prowess at the plate, Griffin dominated on the mound with a 0.72 ERA over 67.2 innings pitched. He struck out 107 batters while allowing only 27 hits and issuing 26 walks, finishing the season with a perfect 10-0 record. These statistics earned him the 2023-24 Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year award, an honor previously bestowed upon major league stars like Bobby Witt Jr. and Corbin Carroll. Scouts assigned him a 65-grade for his speed and a 60-grade for his arm strength on the standard 20-80 scouting scale. His defensive versatility allows him to project as both a Gold Glove-caliber center fielder and a high-leverage infielder at the professional level.

Griffin’s physical tools are frequently described as elite, featuring a 96 mph fastball from the pitcher's rubber and exit velocities exceeding 100 mph from the batter's box. He became the first player from Jackson Prep to be selected in the first round, bypassing a commitment to Louisiana State University to sign with Pittsburgh. The Pirates’ decision to draft him at ninth overall involved a slot value of approximately $6.22 million. Evaluators noted his unique ability to generate leverage through a long-levered frame, which translates to raw power that ranks in the top percentile of prep athletes. His 2024 season included a 21-game hitting streak and 39 multi-hit performances, underscoring a level of consistency rarely seen in the high school ranks.

In the field, the Mississippi native recorded a .957 fielding percentage while splitting time between shortstop and the outfield. His range is bolstered by a 6.50-second 60-yard dash, a metric that places him among the fastest prospects in the entire 2024 draft pool. During the high school playoffs, he maintained a .615 average, driving in 12 runs over the final seven contests. The Pirates organization emphasized his “five-tool” potential, citing his 30-30 club upside as a primary motivator for the selection. Griffin’s transition to the minor league system begins with a focus on refining his swing mechanics against professional breaking balls, as he looks to climb the ladder toward PNC Park. This acquisition represents a significant investment in high-ceiling athleticism for a Pittsburgh franchise currently rebuilding its core around young, explosive talent.