Pittsburgh’s top prospect, Konnor Griffin, has been honored as Baseball America’s 2025 Minor League Player of the Year, the first Pirate to win that award since Mike Bielecki in 1984. Selected ninth overall in the 2024 draft out of Jackson Preparatory School, the 19-year-old Griffin blasted onto the professional scene and never looked back, vaulting to the No. 1 overall prospect spot in Baseball America’s midseason rankings.
Across three levels of the Pirates’ farm system, Griffin put up a .333/.415/.527 slash line with 23 doubles, four triples, 21 home runs, 94 RBIs and 117 runs scored, adding 65 stolen bases in 122 games. He ranked among all full-season minor-league players in runs (2nd), batting average (4th), hits (5th, 161), RBIs (tied 7th) and stolen bases (tied 8th).
His debut season was unprecedented over the past two decades: Griffin is the only minor-leaguer since 2006 to hit .300 or better, smack at least 20 homers, swipe 60+ bags and cross the plate 100+ times in a single campaign. Beyond his bat, he showcased plus defense at two premium positions, starting at shortstop before sliding to center field with ease.
Griffin’s domination held constant at each promotion. In Low-A Bradenton, he slashed .338/.396/.536 over 50 games; in High-A Greensboro, .325/.432/.510 across 51 contests; and in Double-A Altoona, he finished with a .337/.418/.542 line in 21 games, each mark well above league averages and carrying his teams into the playoffs at every stop.
Pittsburgh’s hype train extends beyond Griffin. Ace Paul Skenes, fresh off NL Rookie of the Year honors in 2024, posted a 1.97 ERA with 216 strikeouts in 187 2⁄3 innings this season and has openly mentioned Griffin, calling him “a special competitor” who will help reignite winning baseball in Pittsburgh.
Yet even as baseball’s brightest young hitter and arguably its most electric young starter prepare to anchor the franchise, Pirates fans remain wary. At the 2025 home-opener, chants of “Sell the team!” reverberated through PNC Park, and team CEO Travis Williams publicly declared that owner Bob Nutting “is not going to sell the team” despite persistent calls from the stands. Compounding the frustration, ESPN insider Jeff Passan noted that Pittsburgh spent just $19.95 million in free agency last winter, “an insult to the fans” given the talent in the organization.
Beyond this season’s laurels and labors, the challenge for the Pirates is clear: translate the promise of Griffin and Skenes into a commitment from ownership that restores hope in Pittsburgh’s dugout and stands. Fans are eager to see that dedication reflected not just in prospect lists and all-star ballots, but in a roster built to compete now.