A Conversation with MLB's No. 1 Prospect Konnor Griffin

You always have to be ready as a journalist. That's one of the first pieces of advice that I give aspiring writers looking to pursue this crazy world.

I always reference a specific day during my Master's degree. I know that it was a Tuesday afternoon in early 2013.

I'm sitting in my room in a shitty five-bedroom house with people that I wasn't friends with, in a windowless room, getting ready to go meet my mom for lunch.

I suddenly get a phone call from a number that I didn't recognize, and they said they were the agent of Frankie Edgar, the UFC fighter who attended the college that I went to (Clarion University).

They asked if I was interested in speaking with Frankie since I was the sports editor at The Clarion Call.

I agreed, and asked when.

They said, "does now work?"

So I spent about 15 minutes chatting with Frankie, and the interview went really well.

After lunch, I'm on my way back to my apartment when my phone rings again (not dramatizing this, I promise), and it was a coach I was waiting months to hear from. It was Derek Schooley, the head coach of the Robert Morris University hockey team.

I didn't dare ask to call him back, because it was months and months of waiting to hear back from him. At that time, you couldn't record calls on your phone while you were on them.

So I got creative.

I had a pen, my RRR Roadhouse apron, and my server's notebook.

I pulled over on the side of the road and had a fantastic interview with him.

Always. Be. Ready.

And that happened again yesterday, as I was hard at work with my day job, trying to figure out what I was going to write in this space for today. The WNBA came to mind (as always) given the deadline, but without the two sides knowing if they are having an extension yet, I decided to wait on that.

Paige Bueckers starring in an Apple TV sports drama gave me the idea about the other players who would crush roles, but then, I got an email.

It was from the Pittsburgh Pirates, announcing that their 2024 first-round pick Konnor Griffin was named the Honus Wagner Player of the Year Award recipient.

That's the top player in the entire organization for a player who is 19 years old.

What followed was a media opportunity to chat with the consensus No. 1 prospect in baseball about his season, the offseason, his relationships with his teammates, handling the pressure, and more.

I joined about 10 other baseball writers on the Zoom for the discussion.

Enjoy.

On his offseason work:

“I put a lot of work in at short working with [Chris] Truby in the offseason. He believed in me that I could be a shortstop full time, and he believed that I can do it at the pro level. I played 90 percent of the games at short this season. That was the biggest thing. I needed experience. It was pretty cool to see that stuff that I did.”

Did he anticipate having this kind of season:

“I didn’t know what to expect, being my first year. With it being my first year, at Spring Training, it was nice being at big league camp. It showed what it was like being a pro. I had new challenges every day, and it was rolling. I had a good year and learned a lot about myself. I feel like I grew as a player.”

What this award means to you personally:

"It means a lot. There are a lot of great players in the Pirates organization. Being named player of the year is really cool. There was a lot of hard work that went into that with ups and downs. To be able to finish the season strong was important to me. There were a ton of cool experiences, including making the payoffs with Altoona. Now it's time to get ready for next year and shut the book for this year.”

There were a lot of swing and hit tool questions during draft season. Now the consensus prospect in baseball and knocking on the doorstep of majors.

“I heard a lot of that stuff. I tried to stay who I was throughout and be the athlete that I could be. I put it together, and I'm blessed to have people in my life to do that. The Pirates organization is great, and helped me at every level I hit to be myself. I'm lucky to have my dad who helps me with my swing. I faced new challenges every day, and I tried to stack good days. It ended up working out.

Thinking about the big leagues in 2026?

"It's pretty cool to hear that, but I'm focused on this offseason and growing as a player. There's work to be done, so we'll see what happens."

What does your offseason routine look like? (Question from me)

"I took two to three weeks off and now I'm getting back rolling. I'm in Pirates city right now actually for offseason camp. Then I'll go home and get right back after it. I'm training six days a week to emulate the season and how we will be playing games. I'm trying to hit the ground running when spring training gets here."

You played at three different levels last year. Is that the timeline you envisioned?

“I didn’t know what to expect. I know teams are different with their players, so I had no timetable. I just wanted to be in the moment and take it day by day. That was the goal of the season, and I was able to do that.”

With three levels as a teenager, what kind of adjustments did you need to make?

“Getting used to the new towns that you start to live in was the biggest thing. Packing up and moving three times. Traveling across the country can be a little tough. I have to give credit to the organization. They made it easier. Traveling and moving around, that can be tough.

You have a previous relationship with Paul Skenes. Does he check in?

“Every now and then. He does a great job of checking in and making sure everything is going well. He's a super busy guy with a lot going on. He does check in every so often. I'm looking forward to Spring Training where we can spend more time together. It's nice having him in the same organization.

What's a weakness of yours that you're looking to address this offseason?

“It’s hard to think about that. I’m trying to put on weight to get stronger. I want to hit the ball harder. Growing in that area with harder contact. Working on the footwork. Stuff like that. Every single day."

How did the swing adjustments help in your first pro season?

“It was a good year. I want to continue to improve on that with my power. I'm not thinking about that in the box. I just want to get on base as much as possible. I won’t have much success if I’m thinking of that at the plate. I want to put pressure on the defense, make them make a play, and that’s when things fall in place.”

How are you dealing with the pressure that comes with being No. 1 prospect?

“I try to block it out and continue to be who I am. I have a long way to go until I’m a possible Hall of Famer some day. Until that moment, I’m going to work hard every day and focus on what’s in front of me. Rely on my faith and my family. Trust God that he’ll take me on the right path.

Surprised at the success of Esmerlyn Valdez in the Arizona Fall League?

"Not shocked at all. He's a great baseball player and a teammate, as well. Him being a Latin player, you’d think there wouldn’t be a great relationship, but he makes it easy to have one. He makes it easy to have a good time with. The Pirates are going to have a huge prospect in him."

Early season homers off Trey Yesavage, who is pitching in the World Series.

“That was a fun matchup. It was my first super big test. That was a big arm. The scouting report showed that he has 5 pitches great extension. He has good things going for him. Got the chance to lead off the game and attacked the first pitch. Heater up and hit it out of the ballpark. He’s a really good pitcher. He got me the next two times. I’m not shocked to see what he’s doing at the big leagues.”

We've always heard about your maturity and work ethic. How have you grown the most in those areas?

“I really had to grow up a lot by moving to Double-A. There are a lot of guys that are 4-5 years older than me. You have to kind of adapt to it. I just continued to be who I am. I like to have fun at the ballpark. I feel like I grew every day. I faced challenges, and I tried to overcome them. I grew as a person with how I could handle those physically, emotionally, and mentally. I was able to get through the season healthy, and I still feel really good mentally. That was the biggest thing. Not to feel too drained.”

What's your relationship like with Manager Don Kelly, and is there anything specific that he wants you to work on this year? (Question from me)

“He’s awesome. When I was at big league camp, he was always in the dugout and chatting it up with me. He would always be checking in to make sure all is going well and that I was good mentally. That stood out the most. I just recently saw him in Florida. He was here for a bit and was just checking in with me. He told me to keep being me and keep playing hard. To keep bringing the energy. I’m going to keep doing that.”

Where did your drive to be great come from?

“It’s in my heart. I grew up an athlete. I always want to win, and I always want to be better. It gave me a great opportunity to start my pro career. I knew that I had a lot of growth in me. I’m going to continue to put my head down and work. It’s part of the journey. I’m just going to continue to be present.”

Until Next Time

We'll see you back here Monday.

Remember, go Blue Jays. Fuck the Dodgers.

I love you awesome nerds.