Griffin boosts Pirates system, known for producing arms, with some pop
BRADENTON, Fla. – The Pirates’ strength in pitching is obvious. This is the organization that drafted Paul Skenes after all and saw him become the National League All-Star starter one year later. Jared Jones and Mitch Keller serve as more developmental success stories on the bump, and Top 100 prospects
BRADENTON, Fla. – The Pirates’ strength in pitching is obvious. This is the organization that drafted Paul Skenes after all and saw him become the National League All-Star starter one year later. Jared Jones and Mitch Keller serve as more developmental success stories on the bump, and Top 100 prospects Bubba Chandler (No. 1/MLB No. 15) and Thomas Harrington (No. 3/MLB No. 79) are waiting in the wings.
Yet the next glittering prospect starting on his way to Steel City will take another road as a position player, and Konnor Griffin (No. 2/MLB No. 43), the ninth overall pick and the first high-schooler off the board in last year’s Draft, may already be well ahead of the curve.
Pittsburgh extended a non-roster invite to Griffin in his first Spring Training, months before his 19th birthday, to make him one of the youngest players in a 2025 Major League camp.
The right-handed slugger held his own in limited looks, going 2-for-9 with a pair of strikeouts over eight game appearances. But the clear highlight was his homer on March 1 off Orioles right-hander Brandon Young, a hurler with Triple-A experience. The pitch was a 93 mph fastball on the outside corner that Griffin drove the other way to right-center, thus showcasing the plus power potential that made him a Top 10 pick in the first place.
Watch Griffin on any diamond, and such tools are obvious. There’s that pop in his 6-foot-4 frame, but he’s also a borderline plus-plus runner with a bazooka arm. What stood out more during that Spring Training run was what happened behind the scenes, with Pirates officials reporting that the club’s top position player prospect was a sponge for information on the MLB side of Bradenton.
“The ingredients that he has, that's what we're betting on,” said Pittsburgh director of coaching and player development Michael Chernow. “Seeing these other characteristics of who he is and who he's growing into as a man really makes it something that we're excited about.”
There were some concerns about length in Griffin’s swing coming out of the Draft, but while he irons that out, his defensive development will draw a lot of intrigue, too. The Bucs have made it clear they intend to prioritize Griffin’s time at shortstop first and sprinkle in some center field to give him another option up the middle.
But don’t expect a set weekly schedule out of the gate, like four days per week at short and two in center. Griffin could spend whole weeks on the dirt if the Pirates decide he didn’t get enough balls hit to him in one stretch. Other times, he could get more time on the grass to stretch his legs.
The only thing set at this time in Spring Training is that both the infield and outfield coordination groups want to get their hands on arguably the system’s best athlete. His diving catch in left-center on Tuesday will only add fuel to that fiery tug of war.
“He takes it so seriously that you see him make plays at shortstop that give you a little bit where you can dream a little bit,” Chernow said, “And then you see him track stuff down the outfield, and you can dream there too. … You just want him to go out and compete and learn the game and let his natural gifts dictate the rest.”
Those raw tools already have generated plenty of buzz in all corners of Bradenton as Griffin works to fit himself into the hitting development apparatus of a Pirates farm system that, to this point, has a clear strength on the mound.
“What we’re really trying to encourage from the Major League level all the way down is keep the line moving,” Chernow said. “Team offense is such a priority because we have really good pitching, and we want to make sure that we're doing the little things that are going to help us win games.”
Something to prove: Termarr Johnson
Let’s be clear, this isn’t a make-or-break year for Johnson (PIT No. 4) by any means. The 2022 fourth overall pick is still only 20 years old and already has Double-A experience. He’s ahead of most curves.
But the 5-foot-9 infielder was expected to be a potential plus-plus hitter in pro ball and, instead, enters his third full season with a career .239 average. He’s stood out more for his .390 OBP, but his willingness to sell out for pull side power has brought pause to his profile. He’s slipped to No. 82 in Pipeline’s Top 100 and could slide out completely if results don’t come with more authority in his age-21 season.
The Pirates continue to take the long view, knowing they’ve been aggressive with Johnson to this point. They see 2025 as an opportunity for him to show how much he’s learned and how well he can adjust as he strives to return to the form that made him such an exciting Draft prospect three years ago.
“He has a chance to be a complete hitter because he has those traits at such a young age,” Chernow said. “Learning what the game is offering, learning how he's being attacked, and understanding how to navigate an at-bat are some areas where we've seen him consistently grow. He's certainly going to be challenged this year with it, and I feel like he's in a good spot to take on that challenge.”
Breakout potential: Estuar Suero
The Pirates’ No. 25 prospect was acquired from the Padres in 2023 as part of the Rich Hill/Ji-Man Choi swap but has yet to play above the complex levels. A broken hamate affected him most recently in '24, and he finished with just a .213/.318/.307 line in 25 games.
But with that issue behind him, Suero could take off in his age-19 season. The outfielder stands at 6-foot-6, hits from both sides and earns above-average grades for his run tool. The individual pieces are there for a standout prospect, and improved hand health will mean more reps, which the Pirates hope will mean an improved contact rate that could help Suero jump up prospect rankings this summer.
“When a guy has the type of ability that he has and the collection of tools and traits, once he starts figuring it out, we expect the performance will follow thereafter,” Chernow said.
Camp standout: Sammy Siani
Siani dropped his strikeout rate from 31.7 percent at High-A Greensboro in '23 to 18.9 percent between there and Double-A Altoona last summer thanks to a flatter bat path. He carried that success into the Arizona Fall League, where he was a Fall Star thanks to a .375/.457/.550 line over 92 additional plate appearances.
The brother of Cardinals centerfielder Michael Siani, the 37th overall pick in 2019 was left unprotected and unpicked in last year’s Rule 5 Draft, but the Philadelphia native hasn’t slowed down this spring at Pirate City. His above-average speed gives him the chance to play all three outfield spots, and he could put that and his improved offense on display as a Spring Breakout participant Friday against the Phillies.
“He’s put the work in, and there's momentum going,” Chernow said. “Now he has an opportunity to participate in this game against his hometown team. We wanted to reward that, and from our perspective, try and continue the momentum and see where this year goes.”
Sam Dykstra is a reporter for MiLB.com. Follow and interact with him on Twitter, @SamDykstraMiLB.
Phillies Spring Training ‘Pigs Update: One Month In
It’s now been just about one month since pitchers and catchers first reported to Clearwater for Phillies Spring Training. Thru 16 games, the Phillies have gone 8-8 and plenty of ‘Pigs, past and future, have had opportunities to get ample playing time early in spring. Halfway thru Spring Training, the
Several IronPigs Selected to Represent Phillies at ‘Spring Breakout’ Game
Allentown, Pennsylvania (March 6, 2025) – 2024 IronPigs pitchers Mick Abel and Griff McGarry, as well as infielder Otto Kemp, have been selected to represent the Phillies in this year’s ‘Spring Breakout’ game. Following its debut last year, Spring Breakout returns in 2025 with 16 matchups on March 13-16. The
Individual game tickets are now on sale!
IronPigs Announce 2025 Promotions Individual game tickets are now on sale! Allentown, Pennsylvania (February 24, 2025) – The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are excited to share their promotional calendar for the 2025 season! Individual game tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online here. The 2025 season will feature
Pig Day Celebration to be held Saturday, March 1st!
Allentown, Pennsylvania (February 11, 2025) – The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are excited to announce that their annual Pig Day celebration will be taking place on Saturday, March 1st from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Coca-Cola Park! Tickets for the 2025 season will be available for purchase on a walk-up
IronPigs to keep an eye on at Phillies 2025 Spring Training
Pitchers and catchers have officially reported to Clearwater for Phillies Spring Training and quite a few 2024 IronPigs (and some potential 2025 ‘Pigs too) are in camp with the big league team. Here’s a few key names to keep an eye on from the IronPigs 2024 roster plus some guys
Phillies Announce 2025 IronPigs Coaching Staff
Allentown, Pennsylvania (February 7, 2025) – The Lehigh Valley IronPigs, in conjunction with the Philadelphia Phillies, have announced their coaching staff for the 2025 season. Anthony Contreras (Manager, 4th season) returns to manage the IronPigs for a fourth consecutive season alongside fellow returnees Chris “Tank” Adamson (Bench Coach, 2nd season),
IronPigs Announce Home Game Times and Full 2025 Schedule
Allentown, Pennsylvania (October 7, 2024) – The Lehigh Valley IronPigs have announced home game times for the 2025 season at Coca-Cola Park as well as the full 2025 game schedule, including road games. A full IronPigs promotional schedule consisting of giveaways, appearances, and more will be announced later. Opening Day
Youth Baseball Camps Return to Coca-Cola Park this Summer
Allentown, Pennsylvania (February 5, 2025) – Signups are now underway for the IronPigs 2025 Youth Baseball Camps presented by Capital Blue Cross! Make sure to sign up early as each camp has limited space available and each camp is expected to sell out! The camps run from 9 a.m. to
IronPigs and Provident Bank Extend Partnership
Allentown, Pennsylvania (February 5, 2025) – Provident Bank will continue to be a proud partner of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the Philadelphia Phillies’ Triple-A minor league affiliate. The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are excited to announce the extension of their partnership with Provident Bank featuring the continuation of beloved staples at
IronPigs Hosting Job Fairs on February 1st and February 5th
Allentown, Pennsylvania (January 21, 2025) – The Lehigh Valley IronPigs will be hosting job fairs on Saturday, February 1st from 9 a.m.- 12 p.m. and Wednesday, February 5th from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. at Coca-Cola Park. Interviews will be held in person. The benefits of working with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs
2025 Valentine’s Day Pork-O-Grams Now On Sale!
Allentown, Pennsylvania (January 16, 2025) – Crank up the sizzle as Valentine’s Day should be extra special this year! The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are now accepting reservations for Valentine’s Day Pork-O-Grams! Fans can choose their favorite pork racer - Chris P. Bacon, Barbie-Q, Diggity or Hambone - and on Thursday,
IronPigs Charities Awards $80,503 in Community Grants to 28 Organizations
Allentown, Pennsylvania (January 15, 2025) – IronPigs Charities, presented by Air Products, is excited to announce the 28 recipients of the 2025 community grants. The grants totaled $80,503 and were provided to the following organizations in support of educational and recreational programs for youth in the Greater Lehigh Valley, especially
Broadcaster Tom McCarthy Added to Phillies Winter Caravan Lineup
Allentown, Pennsylvania (January 14, 2025) – Philadelphia Phillies broadcaster Tom McCarthy has been added to the lineup with Phillies infielder Kody Clemens and infielder/outfielder Weston Wilson as all three are now scheduled to attend the Phillies Winter Caravan hosted by IronPigs Charities, presented by Air Products, on Thursday, January 23
Kody Clemens and Weston Wilson to Attend Phillies Winter Caravan
Allentown, Pennsylvania (January 6, 2025) – Philadelphia Phillies infielder Kody Clemens and utility player Weston Wilson are scheduled to attend the Phillies Winter Caravan hosted by IronPigs Charities, presented by Air Products, on Thursday, January 23 at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks in Bethlehem at 6:30 p.m. Clemens, has appeared
IronPigs 2025 Single Game Tickets On Sale Now!
Allentown, Pennsylvania (December 16, 2024) – The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are excited to announce that single game tickets for the 2025 season at Coca-Cola Park are now officially on sale! Tickets may be purchased by going online at ironpigsbaseball.com, stopping by the Provident Bank Ticket office in person or by
IronPigs Announce Fill Santa’s Sleigh on December 15th at Illumination as Part of Philling the Need Presented by KeyBank
Allentown, Pennsylvania (December 13, 2024) – The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are excited to announce ‘Fill Santa’s Sleigh’, a new one-day toy drive on December 15th, at Illumination at Coca-Cola Park as part of the Philling the Need initiative, sponsored by KeyBank. On Sunday, December 15th, help spread holiday cheer by
Fauxback to the Future! IronPigs Introduce New Fauxback Friday Jerseys
Allentown, Pennsylvania (November 19, 2024) – The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are ecstatic to unveil their new look for Friday home games, a fauxback design inspired by the classic looks of bygone eras. IronPigs franchise history dates back only to the inaugural year of the team in 2008, which means that
Coca-Cola Park Ranked as One of the Most Affordable Triple-A Ballparks Again
Allentown, Pennsylvania (December 9, 2024) – Coca-Cola Park, the home of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, has yet again been ranked as one of the most affordable ballparks in all of Minor League Baseball, based upon average cost of a family of four (two adults, two children) to attend a game.
IronPigs Announce Illumination Ticket Package Collaboration with Christkindlmarkt
Allentown, Pennsylvania (November 8, 2024) – Get access to two of the Lehigh Valley’s premier winter attractions as the Lehigh Valley IronPigs have announced an exclusive ticket package featuring an ticket to Illumination presented by Service Electric and one ticket to Christkindlmarkt presented by Univest Financial! Each $24 package purchased
Turkey Drive sponsored by Provident Bank to be held at Coca-Cola Park
Allentown, Pennsylvania (November 7, 2024) – Provident Bank, New Bethany, and the Lehigh Valley IronPigs are partnering for the fifth straight year to hold a frozen turkey drive on Friday, Nov. 22 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, PA. Residents are encouraged to visit the
IronPigs Announce Promotional Slate for Illumination!
Allentown, Pennsylvania (October 14, 2024) – The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are excited to announce the promotional calendar for Illumination at Coca-Cola Park, running from November 15th, 2024 thru January 4th, 2025, presented by Service Electric. The 44-night event will take place nightly from 6-9pm and feature over ONE MILLION holiday
May 17th, 2025, Selected as Date for Cosmic Baseball at Coca-Cola Park!
Allentown, Pennsylvania (October 8, 2024) – The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are excited to announce that on May 17th, 2025, Cosmic Baseball, the viral sensation that captivated the sports world during the summer of 2024, is coming to Coca-Cola Park! The IronPigs will host the Cosmic Takeover Tour during the 2025
Which 2024 IronPigs are on the Phillies NLDS Roster?
For a portion of the season, it seemed like the Philadelphia Phillies were more like the Philadelphia IronPigs with how many ‘Pigs littered the roster. From the pitching staff to the lineup, IronPigs abounded and made humongous impacts during the regular season. Now with the postseason here, various 2024 IronPigs
Party Animals Coming to Coca-Cola Park in 2025!
Allentown, Pennsylvania (October 4, 2024) – The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are excited to announce that Coca-Cola Park will be hosting the Party Animals for two games of Banana Ball as part of the Banana Ball World Tour on July 5th and July 6th, 2025! Opportunities to purchase tickets for the
Cosmic Baseball Coming to Coca-Cola Park!
Allentown, Pennsylvania (September 26, 2024) – The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are excited to announce that Cosmic Baseball, the viral sensation that captivated the sports world during the summer of 2024, is coming to Coca-Cola Park! The IronPigs will host the Cosmic Takeover Tour during the 2025 season at Coca-Cola Park.