By Robert Wilson
This was Hartfield Academy coach Justin Smith’s evaluation of Jackson Prep junior pitcher and LSU commitment Konnor Griffin’s pitching performance last week against Smith’s team:
Said Smith: “Konnor threw like an SEC pitcher. He was mixing three pitches for a strike whenever he wanted to.”
Griffin – ranked No. 1 in the country in the Class of 2024 by Perfect Game – was almost untouchable as he threw a one-hitter with only one walk and 11 strikeouts in Prep’s 9-0 victory over Hartfield last week in Game 1 of a three game, MAIS Class 6A series between then two undefeated teams in league play.
For his outstanding performance, Griffin has been named the PriorityOne Bank/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Baseball Player of the Week.
Griffin – a 6-foot-4, 205-pound right-hander – whose fastball has been clocked consistently in the mid-90s – has been outstanding for Prep on the mound this season. He even better last week, striking out three of the first five batters. He allowed his only hit when Hartfield’s Cole Stumph singled with two outs in the fourth inning. Griffin only faced 23 batters, two over the minimum, in his complete game victory and only threw 82 pitches.
Hartfield came into the first game of the series with a 16-3 record and had not been shut out all season. The Hawks were averaging 8.1 runs per game and scored 10 or more runs eight times.
“Konnor did a great job of competing,” Prep pitching coach Zander Romano said. “His ability to attack the strike zone and get some early swings kept his pitch count low. His fastball had a lot of life and was able to keep hitters off-balance with his slider. He’s worked hard to develop his changeup this season and it was a difference maker when facing opposing lineups the second time through.”
It was the second straight impressive game by Griffin in league play. He allowed only four hits and one earned run with 10 strikeouts and only one walk in six innings to lead Prep to a 9-2 victory over Madison-Ridgeland Academy two weeks ago in the rematch of the last three 6A state championship series.
Griffin improved to 4-1 and lowered his earned run average to 1.64. He has 43 strikeouts and eight walks in 25 2/3 innings going into this week for five-time defending MAIS 6A state champion Prep – ranked No. 22 nationally by Perfect Game. The Patriots are 18-3 overall and 6-0 in league play coming into this week.
Griffin, who plays shortstop when he isn’t pitching, hit .444 for the week (4 of 9) with five runs scored. He is hitting .500 with 27 runs scored, 19 runs batted in, 3 doubles, 2 triples and 3 home runs entering this week. His on base percentage is .600 and slugging percentage is .833.
“Konnor is now not only one of the best players in the state, but also the country,” Prep coach Brent Heavener said. “He has worked hard and been able to succeed at a very high level against some great competition. We are extremely excited to watch what the future holds as Konnor continues to work. The future is very bright for him and I’m glad he’s on our team. Konnor makes our team better both on and off the field.”
Griffin was projected by Baseball America last summer as the No. 1 high school player in the country for the 2024 MLB Draft. If Baseball America’s projection comes true, Griffin would be the highest high school player to be selected in the Major Baseball Draft in Mississippi history.
Griffin, who played as a freshman last year, had a .476 batting average, a .617 on base percentage, a .870 slugging percentage, 10 doubles, 4 triples, 5 home runs, 28 runs batted in, 43 runs scored, 13 stolen bases, struck out only 9 times in 84 at bats and made only 2 errors. He had an 8-2 record, 1.64 earned run average with 59 strikeouts and only 15 walks in 42 2/3 innings. He helped Prep to a 31-7 record, a No. 21 final national ranking by Perfect Game and its fifth straight MAIS state championship.
Griffin was named to the MaxPreps Underclassmen All-American team. He was the only freshman on last year’s Priority One Bank/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Team, making it as the first team shortstop. He reclassified as a junior this year.
Griffin was named to Collegiate Baseball Preseason Second Team All-American.
Griffin started on Prep’s MAIS Class 6A and Overall Tournament championship basketball team. He led the team in points and rebounds per game, blocked shots, and field goal percentage this season. Griffin was named to the third team of the PriorityOne Bank/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Basketball Team.
