It didn’t take long for Konnor Griffin to catch the attention of another Pittsburgh Pirates first-round draft pick at this year’s big-league spring training.

Termarr Johnson, the fourth overall pick in the 2022 draft, came to learn of Griffin’s physical presence rather quickly.

“He’s huge, man. He’s like a foot taller than me,” said Johnson. 

The Pirates took Johnson out of Benjamin E. Mays High School in Atlanta, Ga. Two years later, Pittsburgh dipped back into the high school ranks when they selected Griffin out of Jackson Prep in Flowood, Miss.

The Pirates promoted Griffin from High-A Greensboro to Double-A Altoona earlier in the week, giving the Curve a double play duo consisting of former top draft picks with Johnson at second base and Griffin at shortstop.

“Heck yeah, man,” Johnson said when asked if he’s excited about his new double play partner. “Haven’t seen this man in a good bit, but he looks really good. He’s been doing really good this season. I told him earlier I’m very proud of him.”

Though the two hail from a similar region, they never shared a field together as amateurs. Johnson and Griffin got familiar with each other at spring training this year but will get a chance to build their relationship together as Double-A teammates.

“Got to be with him in big-league camp, so we’ve kind of been on the field together. It’s gonna be a lot of fun,” Griffin explained. “He brings a lot of energy. It’s gonna be great to be out there and go to war with him.”

Johnson has called Altoona home for a while now and is on a more traditional route for a prospect drafted out of high school. The 21-year-old played 14 games for the Curve in 2024 after a late-season promotion and has totaled 98 games with Altoona this season.

Griffin, however, has been fast-tracked through the Pirates’ system. The 19-year-old is the youngest player to ever suit up for the Curve after breezing through Low-A Bradenton and Greensboro, totaling 101 games between the two stops before his promotion.

Though Griffin’s professional career is still in its infancy stage, Johnson has no doubt that he is ready for the challenge of competing in Double-A.

“I think he can handle it,” said Johnson. “He’s been fortunate enough to jump a few levels this year. I told him it’s the same thing, same game. I believe heavy in my heart and I know he believes he can handle it. I’m excited to help him any way I can wherever it is.”

Though it took Johnson over twice as many games to reach Double-A as it did Griffin, the respective journeys that led to a mid-sized town in Central Pennsylvania were similar enough.

Both were highly-regarded prep draft prospects. Both came from the south. Both became multi-millionaires overnight once they put pen to paper. And both players reached Double-A before they could legally drink alcohol – Griffin at 19 and Johnson just after he turned 20.

“We definitely have the same path both being first rounders, getting to Double-A at a young age and everything like that. It’s gonna be great,” Johnson explained. “Regardless of anything, we’re gonna hammer down on the things we need to hammer down on. We’re gonna make some really good plays in the middle infield and we’re gonna have fun doing it. I’m excited to have him.”

Both Johnson and Griffin still have a little ways to go before they get called up to the Pirates. Up next for both players is Triple-A Indianapolis. Johnson will likely be the first to get bumped up to the next level, but given how quickly Griffin has progressed, he might not be all that far behind. 

Until that happens, the duo is hoping that their first chance to share the infield dirt together is only the start of what’s to come. 

“I see he really wants it and that’s what we need in Pittsburgh,” Johnson said. “Being able to work here in Double-A and hammer down on the things we need to hammer down on and get better for when we eventually get to Pittsburgh and start winning some games there.”