It’s too early to debate who got the best player in the 2024 MLB Draft, but Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop/center fielder Konnor Griffin reminded the baseball world why he’s the No. 1-ranked prospect in the sport on Tuesday. The 19-year-old launched two homers in the Pirates’ 16-7 spring training win over the Boston Red Sox, with the first being a 374-foot shot to left in the second inning and the second a 440-foot bomb to right in the fourth.
Griffin is part of a stacked 2024 MLB Draft class including the Athletics‘ Nick Kurtz, who was the 2025 AL Rookie of the Year. The Pirates selected Griffin No. 9 overall, and he slashed .333/.415/.527 with 21 homers and 94 RBIs over 122 minor-league games last season. He’s the top-ranked prospect on MLB Pipeline.
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Griffin rose from Single-A to Double-A, but he’s now making waves in the big leagues. The Mississippi native homered off veteran Red Sox pitchers Ranger Suarez and Seth Martinez, with the first being a two-run shot and the second a solo.
Who is the Best Player in 2024 Draft Class?
Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (16) © Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
(© Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images)
Griffin’s performance added to the online debate about the 2024 draft class as spring training continues. He’s not the only one of that group making an impact, as Cleveland Guardians second baseman Travis Bazzana smacked a three-run homer in his team’s 11-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday, and Kansas City Royals outfielder Jac Caglianone is 3-for-8 with one homer, one RBI, one walk and two runs scored over three spring training games.
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Bazzana was the No. 1 overall pick in the class, followed by Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Chase Burns, Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Condon, Kurtz, Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Hagen Smith, Caglianone, St. Louis Cardinals shortstop JJ Wetherholt, Los Angeles Angels second baseman Christian Moore, Griffin, and Washington Nationals shortstop Seaver King. Kurtz is ahead of the pack, but Burns, Caglianone, and Moore all got big-league action last season. The Toronto Blue Jays also got starting pitcher Trey Yesavage No. 20 overall, who got called up in September and had a 3.58 ERA in six playoff appearances.
Kurtz is the only one who’s emerged as a star MLB player at this point, but that’s no knock on his peers. Developing faster doesn’t guarantee that a player will be better than others in his prime, especially with prospects like Griffin and Bazzana showing promise this spring.
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What’s clear for now is that the 2024 class has some of the most exciting young players in today’s game. If Bazzana, Griffin, and Caglianone consistently produce this spring, they’ll be on the right track towards having a Kurtz-like rise in the near future.
Related: Pittsburgh Pirates: Fans React To Konnor Griffin’s Spring Training Live At-Bats
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.