{"id":662974,"date":"2026-04-04T15:57:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T15:57:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/662974\/"},"modified":"2026-04-04T15:57:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T15:57:18","slug":"paul-skenes-raves-about-uncommon-pirates-star-konnor-griffin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/662974\/","title":{"rendered":"Paul Skenes raves about ‘uncommon’ Pirates star Konnor Griffin"},"content":{"rendered":"

Konnor Griffin is becoming an instant star for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Paul Skenes believes he has potential to be a significant MLB<\/a> star.<\/p>\n

Griffin\u2019s MLB debut proved to be stellar for the Pirates after driving in a run on his first professional at-bat<\/a>. However, Skenes is offering more insight into why the 19 year old is already thriving at the MLB level.<\/p>\n

MORE: Pirates owner breaks silence on Konnor Griffin $140 million extension report<\/a><\/p>\n

Team USA\u2019s World Baseball Classic<\/a> star is already one of the top pitchers in baseball and knows a thing or two about his own excellence on the diamond.<\/p>\n

And Skenes, a 23-year-old who carries himself like a 10-year veteran, can’t get past the way Griffin conducts himself as a teenager.
“Goes to church every Sunday, doesn’t cuss, doesn’t do any of that stuff, married at 19,” Skenes said. “It’s not common, but nothing about him is\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 1.0 x2FS Pitching Badger (@Pitchingbadger) April 4, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Skenes is pointing to many aspects of Griffin\u2019s off-field life that are quickly making him excel in MLB games. That includes the fact that Griffin has a strong religious faith and is already married despite only being 19 years old.<\/p>\n

Griffin married his high school sweetheart Dendy Hogan three months ago ahead of his first professional season.<\/p>\n

\u201cGoes to church every Sunday, doesn\u2019t cuss, doesn\u2019t do any of that stuff, married at 19,\u201d Skenes said after Griffin\u2019s debut<\/a>. \u201cIt\u2019s not common, but nothing about him is common. Everything screams uncommon. And if you want to be uncommon, you want to do uncommon things, it starts with thinking uncommon \u2014 and he does that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Skenes believes Griffin has elite potential<\/p>\n

Griffin is the number one baseball prospect as the 2026 MLB season gets underway. However, it\u2019s clear that Pittsburgh is investing heavily in their young star as he gets plate appearances just weeks into the campaign.<\/p>\n

MORE: Top 10 pitchers who delivered in 2026 MLB debuts<\/a><\/p>\n

Last season, the Pirates only managed to win 71 games after finishing last place in the NL Central. However, Skenes\u2019 pitching ability was one of the few bright spots considering his meteoric rise in recent seasons.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin after scoring in his MLB debut against the Baltimore Orioles. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The Pirates drafted Griffin in the first round of the 2024 MLB Draft after signing a $6.53 million contract. However, his quick rise included retracting an offer to play college baseball at LSU, where Skenes became a major pitching star.<\/p>\n

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