MaxPreps National Player of the Year
Konnor Griffin of
Jackson Prep (Jackson, Miss.) capped a stellar senior year by becoming the first high school player selected in the 2024 Major League Baseball Draft.
The Pittsburgh Pirates chose Griffin with the No. 9 overall pick in the draft, selecting him as a shortstop. Listed as an outfielder for most of the season, the multi-position standout was the second shortstop taken.
Griffin's selection marked the latest a high school player had been selected in the 60 years of the Major League Draft. The previous record was the 2020 draft when Robert Hassell III was the first prep selected with the eighth overall pick.
MaxPreps National Player of the Year Konnor Griffin is headed to Pittsburgh as a shortstop. (Photo: Mississippi Scoreboard)
Griffin was the MaxPreps National Player of the Year after leading Jackson Prep to a Mid-South Association of Independent Schools Class 6A state championship. He led the nation in stolen bases with 85 and runs scored with 76.
Bryce Rainer of
Harvard-Westlake (Studio City, Calif.) went two spots later (No. 11) to the Detroit Tigers. There was speculation in some mock drafts that Rainer might go ahead of Griffin in the draft.
Other prep players chosen in the first round included:
P.J. Morlando,
Summerville (S.C.), OF, No. 16 to Marlins
Braylon Payne,
Fort Bend Elkins (Missouri City, Texas), OF, No. 17 to Brewers
Theo Gillen,
Westlake (Austin, Texas), OF, No. 18 to Rays
Kellon Lindsey,
Hardee (Wauchula, Fla.), SS, No. 23 to Dodgers
Cam Caminiti,
Saguaro (Scottsdale, Ariz.), LHP, No. 24 to Braves
Kash Mayfield,
Elk City (Okla.), LHP, No. 25 to Padres
Dante Nori,
Northville (Mich.), OF, No. 27 to Phillies
Slade Caldwell,
Valley View (Jonesboro, Ark.), OF, No. 29 to Arizona
