MLB exec calls Pirates' Konnor Griffin a 'freak' amid pair of exciting comparisons

MLB exec calls Pirates' Konnor Griffin a 'freak' amid pair of exciting comparisons originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have had an up-and-down 2026 season so far, but they're still in a decent spot to contend for a postseason spot this year.

Paul Skenes, Oneil Cruz, and offseason additions in Ryan O'Hearn and Brandon Lowe are big reasons why, but so too is Konnor Griffin.

Jayson Stark of The Athletic shared a quote from an anonymous MLB executive who had some very high praise for Griffin, going as far as to call him a "freak" and comparing him to two of the best prospects in the last couple of decades.

"Griffin is a freak," an AL executive said to Stark. "He just turned 20, and he can just do things physically that – forget most 20-year-olds – like most players can't do. We have him as one of the most valuable prospects of all time – like Bryce Harper-Mike Trout level, like the top of the stack in terms of all-time prospects."

The Pirates' fandom has seen plenty of praise sung for their superstar prospect, but this praise for Griffin goes well beyond simple praise. It's the kind of commentary that will only make fans more excited about what Griffin can do going forward.

Pirates' Konnor Griffin called a 'freak' by MLB exec in exciting claim

Griffin has begun his career in the Majors on a good note. While he might not be performing like an All-Star player just yet, he's shown plenty of promise this far.

In 142 at-bats this season, he has three homers, 20 RBIs, 10 stolen bases, a .699 OPS, and a .254 batting average.

He's had a few blunders defensively, but at just 20 years old, there's plenty of time for him to develop further and become the kind of superstar that contends for MVP awards every year.

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He's just 20 years old and has a lengthy career ahead of him. And this commentary from an American League executive is the kind of thing that should excite Pirates fans.

There are always rose-tinted glasses for one team's own prospects. But, to have an executive not related to the team have such high praise for Griffin shows that the Pirates' optimism with Griffin is shared by more than just the Pittsburgh franchise and fanbase.

Griffin is a "freak" according to this MLB executive, and is on the same level as Bryce Harper and Mike Trout, who are almost guaranteed to make the Hall of Fame when they retire at this rate. Those are some exciting comparisons.