By Robert Wilson
Jackson Prep alumnus Konnor Griffin and Madison Central High alumnus Braden Montgomery continue to get attention as they make their rise in pro baseball.
Griffin – the 2024 National High School Gatorade Player of the Year and No. 9 overall pick in the 2024 Major League Draft – and Montgomery – the two-time Collegiate All-American and No. 12 overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft – were chosen to participate in the 2025 MLB Futures Game, scheduled for Saturday at 3 p.m. Central as part of the MLB All-Star Game weekend in Atlanta.
Griffin – a 6-foot-4, 225-pound shortstop-outfielder – hit .338 with 10 doubles, 2 triples, 9 home runs, 49 runs scored, 36 runs batted in in 50 games for Bradenton in Class A ball before being promoted to Greensboro in high Class A ball. He is hitting .302 with 6 doubles, 4 home runs, 24 runs scored and 17 RBIs in 25 games.
Griffin, who turned 19 on April 24, was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He is rated as the No. 2 minor league prospect by Baseball America.
Montgomery – a 6-foot-2, 220-pound outfielder – hit. 304 with 6 doubles, 3 home runs, 14 runs, and 21 RBIs in 18 games for Kannapolis in Class A ball to start this season before being promoted to Winston Salem in high Class A ball. He is hitting .248 with 14 doubles, 2 triples, 8 home runs, 27 runs scored and 33 RBIs in 61 games.
Montgomery, who turned 22 on April 16, was drafted by the Boston Red Sox, but traded to the Chicago White Sox in December. He rated as the No. 53 minor league prospect by Baseball America.
Griffin was the 2024 Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year and the 2023 and 2024 Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Player of the Year.
He led Prep to three straight MAIS Class 6A state championships in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Montgomery was the 2021 Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year and the 2021 Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Player of the Year.
He led Madison Central to an MHSAA Class 6A state championship and the No. 1 national ranking in 2021. Montgomery was the Pac 12 Freshman of the Year and freshman All-American at Stanford in 2022 and All-American at Stanford in 2023. He transferred to Texas A&M and was an All-American in 2024.
“Not only we’re super proud of Konnor, but it’s really impressive to see what he has done in a short time in minor league baseball,” Prep coach Brent Heavener said. “He continues to make a name for himself and to work hard to improve to get better. It’s fun to watch him work because I know with more success there becomes a target on his back and more people want to get him out. We are super proud of Konnor for making the futures game and we are also here to watch him and support him as he plays tomorrow. I can’t wait to watch and see what he does with all the future stars and with everybody watching.”
“I am proud of Braden for being recognized so early on in his pro career,” said Patrick Robey, who coached Montgomery at Madison Central and became the new head coach at Belhaven this summer. “His performance is no surprise to those that have followed his career. Braden’s preparation is professional and the way he treats others makes it so easy for everyone to be pulling for him. He is great example for the next generation of ball players. It’s so cool to see young players from Mississippi knocking on the door to the big leagues but even more special to see one coming from our community.”
