GRIFFIN JOINS RARE POWER-SPEED CLUB WITH 20-40 SEASON

Two years ago, Brewers prospect Jackson Chourio hit 22 home runs and stole 44 bases as a 19-year-old in the upper levels of the minor leagues.

- by MATT EDDY

Prior to that, just three teenagers since 1963 had shown that level of power and speed proficiency by going 20-40 in a minor league season.

Now, a fifth teenager has joined the 20-40 club, and one aspect of his background differentiates him from the others.

Baseball America No. 1 prospect Konnor Griffin hit 21 home runs and stole 65 bases in 122 games this season. The 19-year-old shortstop was promoted to Double-A Altoona in mid August after mastering Low-A Bradenton and High-A Greensboro.

The Pirates drafted Griffin ninth overall in 2024 out of Jackson Preparatory School in Flowood, Miss., where he had been named High School Player of the Year. He slipped down the draft board based on lingering concern about how his hit tool would play in a pro setting.

That concern rings hollow today. Griffin has batted .333/.415/.527

Acuña and Chourio played at multiple levels during their 20-40 seasons, just as Griffin did this year. Jones and Escobar played at Low-A only.

Griffin becoming the first drafted player to go 20-40 as a teenager—or in his case 20-60—seems like an oddity.

Numerous first-round high school players before Griffin had ample power and speed, from Byron Buxton, Andrew McCutchen and Mike Trout in the 21st century to No. 1 overall picks Ken Griffey Jr., Alex Rodriguez and Darryl Strawberry in the late 20th century.

None of those players went 20-40 in the minors before turning 20. Though, to be fair to Griffey and A-Rod, they reached the big leagues as teenagers.

What makes Griffin different?