The accolades continue to pour in for Konnor Griffin, who was named the Prep Baseball Mississippi Player of the Year at the end of the spring season and he currently serves as the No. 2-ranked player in the Prep Baseball 2024 National Rankings. The Louisiana State recruit produced video game-like numbers during his senior campaign and would help lead Jackson Prep to their seventh consecutive MAIS state title.

Griffin, who was at the top of a star-studded Patriots lineup, contributed to their 39-4 overall record roaming the gaps in the outfield, locking down the shortstop position and establishing pure dominance on the mound all season and his numbers backed it up. Griffin would put up remarkable numbers his senior season, where he slashed .559/.690/.966. During the 2024 season, he would total 66 hits, 13 doubles, four triples, and nine home runs, while driving in 39 runs. Offensively, Griffin snagged 76 stolen bases (at a 98% success rate) and he reached base 47 times via the walk as well. On the mound, tallied 67.2 innings en route to a perfect 10-0 record with a 0.72 ERA. Over the span of his 67.2 IP, he would collect a total of 107 Ks and he held opponents to a .128 batting average.

Not only did Griffin put up strong numbers during his senior season, but he did throughout his entire career at Jackson Prep. Since his freshman year in 2021, Griffin has hit .526 on varsity and he's collected a total of 152 hits, 101 RBIs, 29 doubles, 10 triples, 23 home runs, 120 stolen bases and he's scored 166 runs. Over that span, on the mound, he would post a 1.17 career ERA, finishing 23-3, while striking out 247 total opposing hitters.

With numbers of that caliber there has to be records that were broken along the way, right? Konnor would break several Jackson Prep records, including runs scored in a single season (76), stolen bases (87), and walks (47). Other records at Jackson Prep throughout his career consist of stolen bases (120) and lowest career ERA (1.17). 

Konnor Griffin OF / RHP / Jackson Prep, MS / 2024 Rankings, State: No. 1 | Overall: No. 2 "[He] is a young man that you don't want to miss out on getting a chance to see him play as a high school baseball player. Whether it be locking down the shortstop position, roaming the gaps in center field, or establishing his dominance on the mound, you will thoroughly enjoy watching the LSU recruit. On Wednesday we got a chance to see him on the mound and it was very impressive as the 6-4 210 pound righty was up to 95 mph with his fastball, though his command of his slider just off the plate to right handed hitters was elite. While the focus was on his mound abilities this day he did mix in 2 hits and 2 more stolen bases giving him an astounding 50 on the year in just 20 games." - Matt Miller, Mississippi State Director

We were able to talk with Griffin's head coach at Jackson Prep, Brent Heavener, about his superstar prep and his character on and off the field: “He is one of the best charter leaders we have had at Prep off the field," Heavner said. "He cares more about helping his teammates and friends than himself. He is one of the most selfless young men I know. He is also one of the hardest working kids I have been around."

We also talked with Heaverner on the legacy Griffin will leave behind and the impact he created amongst Mississippi high school athletes.

“He will go as one the greatest to play at Prep," Heavner said. "He will also be remembered as one of the best high school players. But what makes him different is that he will be remembered as one of the best teammates and best young men to play the game. The impact he has had on kids in the south will not be forgotten. He plays the game the right way and little kids see that and want to be like him. I could not be more proud of him and the person he is.”

Matt Miller, our Mississippi State Director, also weighed in on his thoughts about how Griffin would be remembered from his playing time at Jackson Prep.

"Konnor is an exceptional talent and while getting to know him over the past few years, one thing is evident, he was born for this," said Miller. "His determination to be both a big league player and person sets him apart. Jackson Prep was lucky to have a front row seat to witness something that doesn’t come around too often, though I believe we will all get to witness it soon.”

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OUR Q&A WITH KONNOR GRIFFIN

As the summer is off and running at full throttle, the Prep Baseball staff was able to talk with Konnor via email as he provided feedback on a Q&A from us.

Prep Baseball: Being among the top prep players in the nation comes with immense pressure. How were you able to handle those preseason expectations in a way that allowed you to stay focused on your game and produce at such a high level?

Konnor Griffin: “I feel like I’ve always been able to keep things in perspective and keep baseball feeling like a kid’s game.  I have as many expectations for myself as anyone else has for me and wanting to make myself proud by how hard I work has been what drives me- not what other people think. That mindset has kept me grounded.  I also think that with my ultimate goal for high school being to win another state championship for Jackson Prep, that helped me not worry so much about myself but about what the team needed most in order to accomplish that goal.”

PB: One of your best traits as a prospect is your versatility and skillset at multiple positions. How do you think your multi-position play has morphed you into one of the top HS players headed into the MLB Draft?

KG: “I feel like the focus I have put on learning to play multiple positions over the years has really increased my athleticism.  I was a catcher until I was 13 years old and then coaches wanted to utilize my athleticism in other places on defense.  Having played so many positions has elevated my baseball IQ. Having talent alone wouldn’t make me a top player, but adding the right mentality to my skill set helps set me apart.”

PB: Can you share a moment this season in which you faced, and overcame, some adversity this season? Maybe in a particular game or against a particular pitcher?

KG: “As for the high school season, I wasn’t getting pitched to a lot the first half of the year and that was tough because I wanted to swing and contribute for my team; however, I took that negative feeling and turned it into a positive by stealing bags when I got on base and showed my versatility in finding other ways to help my team win games.”

PB: If you could relive one moment from this past season, what would it be? What made it so special?

KG: “Even though it wasn’t during my high school season, getting to wear USA across my chest and represent my country in Taiwan was an unforgettable experience and I believe it helped get my mind right to help me lead my team at Jackson Prep to a 7th straight state championship.  I didn’t want to be a part of the team that ended the streak of state titles and did everything that I could to make sure that we had the right mindset daily to win it all again. Ending my varsity career as a 4 time state champion was a great feeling and I would give anything to relive that moment.”

PB: What advice would you have for up-and-coming athletes in a similar position as you? Meaning, those who are starting generate some national attention at a younger age, and staying grounded enough to continue performing.

KG: “For anyone starting to receive national attention, the best advice that I can give is to keep playing the game the right way with energy and passion and don’t try to chase rankings or notoriety.  If you play hard and are getting great results then people will take notice. Don’t forget that it’s a game of failure. Take the highs with the lows and stay grounded. Always treat people with respect and kindness because they’ll remember your character more than they’ll remember your talent and ability.”

PB: Beyond the stats and trophies, how do you think you've grown as a person through your high school baseball experience?

KG: “I’ve learned that people care as much about my character and reputation as a person as much as they care about my batting average or earned run average.  I also know that God values my heart more than He does my accolades or accomplishments. I used to care greatly about what others thought of me as a player and I’ve grown to care more about what they think of me as the person that I am off the field. I want to use my platform in baseball for something greater in my life.”

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PREVIOUS PREP BASEBALL PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

PLAYER	STATE	YEAR
Max Clark	Indiana	2023
Jackson Holliday	Oklahoma	2022
Jackson Jobe	Oklahoma	2021
Brett Baty	Texas	2019
Mason Englert	Texas	2018
MacKenzie Gore	North Carolina	2017