Pittsburgh Review

During one summer night in 2019, Brent Heavener and his wife attended a summer league game after hearing Konnor Griffin was on the team. Heavener, the baseball coach at Jackson Prep in Mississippi, quickly identified Griffin as the towering player who hit a home run that evening.

“You get out of the car and it’s like, ‘Well, that’s Konnor,’” Heavener joked. “He was always bigger than everyone.”

For four years, starting when Griffin was in eighth grade, Heavener coached him and witnessed his development from a talented teenager to one of the best high school players in the country. Despite height differences with peers evening out over time, Griffin remained a standout player. This year, he was ranked as the top prep player in the amateur draft.

On Wednesday, Griffin officially turned professional by signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates after being selected ninth overall on July 14. According to a source, his bonus is $6,532,025.

“It’s a dream to sign your name on the contract and put a pro jersey on,” Griffin said during his introduction at PNC Park while wearing his new white No. 24 Pirates jersey. “Just super thankful for the people who helped me get here. It feels great. Super excited. Ready to get going. Ready to start my track to the big leagues.”

Griffin has been focused on this journey ever since draft night and made it clear that he preferred turning professional over attending Louisiana State University where he had committed.

Griffin's path to becoming a Pirate began years ago when he decided to reclassify and graduate high school early instead of in 2025 as initially planned.

“The first time we discussed it, it was like, ‘Is this even possible? Can we realistically do this as a school?’” Heavener said about reclassification challenges.

The decision required substantial adjustments including taking additional classes each year and sacrificing basketball for more dedicated time towards schooling and baseball training.

“I wouldn’t be sitting here if I didn’t reclass,” Griffin stated. “I think it pushed me to play against some tougher competition... I feel like I’m prepared now for whatever baseball throws at me.”

As Griffin developed physically into his 6-foot-4-inch frame weighing 215 pounds, his skills also advanced significantly. His speed became particularly notable -- graded by MLB Pipeline as a 65 tool -- demonstrated by stealing 87 bases during his senior year out of 89 attempts.

“He runs like a dang deer,” Heavener remarked about Griffin's speed.

In addition to speed, Griffin has potential across all five tools necessary for an elite player which may allow him versatility between shortstop or outfield positions according to amateur scouting director Justin Horowitz: “A potential five-tool superstar at the highest level."

Griffin expressed readiness for professional challenges ahead: “I’m ready to push myself... Ready to attack those [challenges] and just grow as a player."