**Pirates Select High School Outfielder/Infielder in First Round of 2024 Draft**
On Sunday, the Pittsburgh Pirates selected Konnor Griffin, a shortstop/outfielder from Mississippi, in the first round of the June Amateur Draft, which was held in July. This year, the Pirates had the ninth overall pick, their lowest draft position since Ben Cherington became general manager.
Cherington followed his “best player available” strategy with Griffin, a promising high school player. Griffin, a right-handed hitter, stands six-foot-four and weighs 215 pounds. Scouts believe he has the potential to become a five-tool player and possibly develop into a 30-30 player. He is expected to provide above-average defense at shortstop or center field due to his speed and strong arm, which has been rated at 70. The Pirates will decide which position suits him best.
Griffin is also praised for his baseball intelligence. Despite being rated as the No. 9 prospect in the draft, his numerous accolades suggest he has significant potential. Griffin is committed to Louisiana State University, but the Pirates likely ensured he was willing to sign before drafting him. Although he is still far from the major leagues, his potential makes him worth the wait.
Griffin joins a list of first-round picks by the Pirates during the Cherington era, including Henry Davis, Nick Gonzales, Termarr Johnson, and Paul Skenes. While Gonzales and Skenes are already key players on the major league team, Johnson is still developing but highly regarded. He recently went 1-for-2 with a run scored in the Futures Game. Evaluating Cherington’s tenure is challenging due to the major league team’s disappointing performance this season, despite high expectations.
However, the Pirates’ minor league system has improved significantly since Cherington’s arrival. He has focused on building pitching depth and drafting wisely. Unlike past first-round picks such as Daniel Moskos, Bryan Bullington, and Cole Tucker, Griffin appears to be a promising choice. While there are concerns about the development of hitters, particularly with Davis struggling at the plate, Cherington’s selection of Griffin seems to be another strong decision. Time will tell if it pays off.
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