Top MLB prospect and Pirates' phenom Griffin hits two homers in one game, blasting his first spring training homer over the Green Monster

Like many things in the brief career of baseball's top prospect, Konnor Griffin’s first home run in this year’s Grapefruit League spring training was unforgettable. The ball flew 374 feet, but with an exit velocity of 104.8 mph and a 28-degree launch angle, everyone standing by the replica Green Monster wall looked up as the ball soared overhead and landed beyond the outfield fence.

This homer came off left-handed Red Sox pitcher Ranger Suárez during a 2-1 count, giving the Pirates the lead in the second inning and helping them eventually win 16-7.

“I’ve heard a lot of great things about him,” Suárez said, “He’s an outstanding player, a great hitter, and you can definitely tell.”

“...I guess when you’re the top prospect in baseball, people have those expectations, and he delivered today. No, I’m not surprised.”

Pirates manager Don Kelly has frequently been asked about Griffin during spring training, and even Phillies star Bryce Harper is happy to share his thoughts. However, this 19-year-old phenom keeps showing something new every day, so no one is running out of words anytime soon.

Griffin proved this again today. In his second at-bat, he smashed another ball over the Green Monster in left-center field, this one traveling 440 feet with an exit velocity of 111 mph.

“Not many can hit the ball that far at Fenway’s layout,” said Pirates starter Carmen Mlodzinski. “I know it’s Fenway South, but to clear the park is truly incredible.”

Griffin went out on his last two at-bats but didn’t leave empty-handed. A groundout in the fifth inning scored a run, his fourth and final RBI of the day. In the sixth, he battled through six pitches, including four consecutive foul balls, one clocking 102.2 mph. His bat even broke on the last pitch as he grounded out to third base.

Of the nine balls Griffin has put in play this year, four have had exit velocities over 100 mph: his two homers against the Red Sox and two lineout flies against the Phillies on Monday (109.1 and 105.6 mph).

“I’m impressed,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “During the offseason, I talked with (former Red Sox coach and current Pirates minor league coach) Andy Fox about him. I asked if your team was strong last year, and he said, ‘No, I have a great shortstop.’”

If Griffin makes the Pirates' opening day roster straight from spring training, he will become the 21st player in modern baseball history (since 1900) to debut in the majors before turning 20, and the youngest Opening Day starter since Adrian Beltré started at third base for the Dodgers two days before his 20th birthday in 1999.

That’s a lot of pressure for a young player with just one year of pro experience, so it’s best to take it easy for now. If Griffin hasn’t debuted in the majors by some point this season, that would be surprising. If it happens before his birthday on April 24, he’ll be the first position player under 20 to debut since Juan Soto did so for the Nationals in 2018.

“For a 19-year-old kid, this is amazing,” Kelly said before the game. “We talked about his live batting practice against Paul Skenes that day — struck out on three fastballs, then immediately hit a slider over the left field fence. He’s already shown he can adjust, and we have to remember he’s just 19.”

“How do we keep pushing him to be himself and hit freely? To go out there, make those adjustments, and be himself.”

People have high expectations for Griffin, hoping he’ll pull off some extraordinary feats. But even if those moments haven’t come yet, when they do, it’ll still be incredible.

For now, just watching Griffin complete spring training is thrilling enough. Remember, sooner or later he’ll take on the real Green Monster.

“I’ve seen many cool homers fly over that big wall,” he said, “and being part of that team would be awesome.”