Things have been moving quickly for Pittsburgh Pirates rookie Konnor Griffin and his family.

Just two years ago, he was still a high school senior at Jackson Prep in Flowood, Mississippi. That summer, the Pirates made him their first-round draft pick, taking him ninth overall.

Last year, he rocketed through Pittsburgh’s farm system in his first season of professional baseball, going from Single-A to High-A to Double-A. After just five games at Triple-A this year, the Pirates decided the 19-year-old shortstop was ready, calling him up for their home opener against the Baltimore Orioles at PNC Park on April 3.

MLB’s top prospect debuted in front of a sellout crowd that included his parents, Kevin and Kim, and his wife, Dendy.

During Friday’s game, Griffin’s family described the experience of watching his historic Major League debut to SportsNet Pittsburgh’s Hannah Mears.

 

“It’s just so surreal to see this community and this fanbase just wrap their arms around Konnor.” 🥹

Hannah caught up with the Griffin family 👇#LetsGoBucs | @mearshannah_ pic.twitter.com/r4gvgrIfdh

— SportsNet Pittsburgh (@SNPittsburgh) April 3, 2026

 

“It’s just so surreal to see this community and this fanbase just wrap their arms around Konnor,” Kim said. “Seeing his jersey out there in the stands has just been amazing.”

She had tears in her eyes several times throughout the emotional afternoon, including after her son’s first Major League hit — an RBI double in his first MLB at-bat.

Kevin, who serves as the head softball coach and associate athletic director at Belhaven University, described watching his son’s first career plate appearance.

“He just had to be patient, and the more he saw spin, I felt like he was in good shape,” Kevin said.

He also praised his son’s defense at shortstop, which aided the team’s first double play of the season.

“He puts a lot of work in defensively as well,” Kevin noted. “He works hard every day at that, and I feel like that the hard work’s paid off, and I trust him as much as anybody in the world at shortstop.”

The Griffins are also grateful for the city of Pittsburgh and the Pirates organization for supporting Konnor and giving him a chance.

“It’s great. They gave him a chance to be in this spot,” Kevin said. “We have a lot of gratefulness for the city of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Pirates management for taking a shot on a kid from Mississippi. This is a great day.”

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