Mississippi has produced many incredible athletes. As seasons come and go, there is certainly no shortage of athletic talent in the Magnolia State. One that certainly stands out is Jackson Prep pitcher Konnor Griffin.
Griffin could be the highest high school player selected in the Major League Baseball (MLB) draft in Mississippi history, with multiple publications predicting that Griffin will be in the top 10 of next year’s draft. One publication even has him projected as the No. 1 pick.
Griffin is currently the country’s No. 2 high school player by Perfect Game and has already committed to LSU. Although it’s about a year away, the 17-year-old athlete is projected to go early in the MLB Draft and will decide to go pro or college in July of 2024.
“Konnor is going to have a lot of fun his senior year. He’s got everything set up and headed in the right direction. Konnor can go play for the defending national champions at LSU and have a great career, or he can get drafted very early in the 2024 draft. All while chasing the opportunity to win his seventh straight state championship at Jackson Prep,” Jackson Prep head coach Brent Heavener. “Konner knows the expectations are high for him this year. He’s going to continue to work hard, but he’s going to try to sit back and enjoy the process and have some fun with his teammates in his last year at Prep.”
There have only been five high school players from Mississippi taken in the first round since 1993. With a long resume of impressive stats, Griffin helped the Patriots to a sixth consecutive state championship last year, a 31-4 record, and a No. 19 national ranking by Perfect Game.
The right-hander was named a high school All-American and selected as the PriorityOne Bank/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Baseball Player of the Year. With a fastball that tops out in the mid-90s, the pitcher also hit a school-record .537 with 43 runs, 30 runs batted in, six doubles, two triples, and eight home runs in 2022-23.
“We know all eyes will be on Konnor every time we step out on the field and how he’s going to play,” said Heavener. “But, he’s one of the most mature, outstanding players at that age we’ve ever been around. It’s going to be fun to watch.”
Griffin decided to skip his sophomore year and become a junior to join the class of 2024. He also opted not to play football or run track. However, this talented young man still played basketball this past season and led the team with 12.3 points and 7.4 rebounds per game with 26 blocked shots. Griffin and the Patriots won their second consecutive MAIS Overall Tournament Championship.
“It’s hard not to pull for Konnor. Not only is he a great baseball player, but he is also an outstanding person. There are a lot of little eyes coming to watch him because of the person he is,” Heavener concluded.
