Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.
Chapter 1: What is the excitement around Konnor Griffin's debut?
welcome back to connor griffin day and this place is hopping right now this is a party and it's a feel-good day for pirate fans i'm not sure how anybody couldn't have that opinion it just is if you were here you'd feel it It's Pomp and Joe with Donnie Football, Austin, City Limits, Bechtold. And now a guest, Jonathan Mayo from MLB Pipeline, kind enough to join us.
New Jersey born, but living in Pittsburgh for many years now. And Jonathan, we appreciate you joining us here. You mentioned it's a different feel even for opening day, yes?
Chapter 2: Why did the Pirates call up Konnor Griffin so quickly?
It's been almost a quarter century since I've been here. Can I call myself a Pittsburgher or am I not allowed? Yeah, I think so. Yeah, it's... we were talking about the fact that home opener is always exciting and it's early in the year and hope springs eternal and all of that.
But I think even before the news of Connor Griffin getting called up, there's a different feel about this team, a little more excitement. And then add that, with the announcement that Griffin is making his debut today. And I think that buzz has kind of multiplied exponentially.
Chapter 3: What is Konnor Griffin's best quality as a player?
Did it catch you by surprise that they called him up this quickly and now the impending deal that we are awaiting on?
A little bit. just because I thought maybe they'd let him settle in and kind of get to his feet under him a little bit more. But then the more I thought about it, I actually think they played this perfectly. I also thought that you needed to have a guy on the opening day roster to get the PPI pick. I didn't realize that it could be within two weeks.
So it makes even more sense, not only for that reason, And I think they learned their lesson from Paul Skeens, but also because he needed to take a breath and reset after the spring he had and the struggles he had. And this is what he's done in a very brief pro career, but he makes adjustments all the time. Donnie Kelly was just talking about the fact that He didn't go down and sulk.
He wasn't mad. I'm sure he was mad he didn't make the team. But he gave himself the day, and then he kind of got back to work.
Chapter 4: How does Konnor Griffin compare to past top prospects?
And I think what they saw in those five days made them feel comfortable with doing this. And then that deal, you know, they couldn't sign him today because then they'd lose the PPI pick. So that's also smart. I think they only need to wait a week or whatever it is. And there's some details I think they need to iron out. But I just feel all the stars align just –
logistically what was best for the kid what's best for the team all of the stars aligned for it to make sense for today griffin's a true five tool guy but jonathan what is the best tool in his tool bag The sixth one, the baseball IQ.
I mean, you know, in talking to so many people about him, the combination that gets brought up over and over again without me prodding for it is athleticism plus aptitude.
Chapter 5: What makes Konnor Griffin a five-tool player?
We've all seen really smart players who outplay their tools and they make it to the big leagues. And we've certainly seen plenty of guys with unbelievable tools like he has, but they don't know how to use them. He has both of those and the work ethic to put in the work when he needs to sort of grind it out. But, I mean, if I had to pick one, it's probably his speed.
If you're just pure tool-wise, the raw power is ridiculous. You know, the arm is at least a 70.
Chapter 6: How does Konnor Griffin's mental approach affect his game?
He was 95, 96 off the mound in high school, right? So it's just, it's hard to pick just... Juan, but I think his ability to use them. And one of the things that's so great about him because of those tools and how smart he is that even if he's not swinging the bat that well, he's going to find ways to help this team win games. Jonathan Mayo from...
Jonathan Mayo from MMLB Pipeline joining us. We got a list of upcoming ticket drops from the night before featuring Jason Aldean with John Morgan and Shane Proffitt at Rivers Casino on April 22nd. April 2nd, 6 to 7 p.m., Sensi's Pizzeria and Bar, 3005 Fairport Lane, Cranberry, 16066. April 6th, from 5 to 6 p.m., King's Jewelry.
Chapter 7: What is Konnor Griffin's potential in terms of home runs and RBIs?
202.15 Route 19, number 201, Cranberry Township, PA 16066. April 7th from 5 to 6 p.m., Lowry's Western Shop, 935 Henderson Avenue, Washington, PA 15301. And April 8th from 11.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., AAA in Wexford, 10628 Perry Highway, Unit 12, Wexford, PA, 15090. Jonathan, if you could fill in the blank here. Connor Griffin is the best position player prospect you've seen since? Wow.
It's been a while. I mean, I could be really Pittsburgh-centric and say since Andrew McCutcheon. He's the best position prospect they've had, I think, in terms of what he can bring to the table. Obviously, O'Neal Cruz and some of the things he's able to do are ridiculous, and he's not quite filled the potential consistently. Bryce Harper. Wow.
I didn't say he was better than Bryce Harper, but you put me on the spot now. I'm sure I'm forgetting people. Yeah, that's a good one. I like that one. I feel like there's going to be some other prospects. What about this guy? But that's who popped in my head.
Is there any chance, like Keith Law is a guy that I've been quoting today. He said on his, I think on his podcast, this could be Willie Mays at shortstop. Have people gone too far or is that impossible when you're analyzing this kid?
Chapter 8: Did the Pirates make the best picks in the last three drafts?
I think Willie Mays was a shortstop actually once upon a time. Was he? It was not good, yeah. But that's neither here nor there. I'd like for him to play a game, you know, maybe, before he asks me tomorrow. If he goes five for five today, then I'm going to do it. I understand what Keith is trying to say. And, listen, Keith is not one who leans towards hyperbole usually, right? Right.
He can do everything exceedingly well. He is mature beyond his years. You would never know that he was 19, both from a physicality standpoint. I spent time with him last year during the year, and he was already a ridiculous athletic specimen. And then I saw him this spring. I'm like, my goodness. And just the way he carries himself, it's just different.
And that's why I think he's going to be fine with this moment. He knows what it feels like. to maybe grip the bat a little too tightly because he did it this spring and he's never done that before and sending him down gave him the opportunity to remind himself he plays I talked to a scout about him he plays with his hair on fire and you don't often see that from a guy with that much talent so
Donnie Kelly was talking about a spring training game when he scored from second on an infield ball, right? So he's going to do a lot of those things, and the tools are exceedingly loud across the board. The hit tool is the question mark, and we still put a 60 on it, which is plus because of the adjustments he made last year.
So I don't know that I'm going to do that because that's a little – I think it's unfair to Connor Griffin – But if you told me that when we look back and he's got a statue out here, I'd believe it.
Jonathan, you brought up how he carries himself, the mentality that he has. And I want to ask when you get to know these guys a little bit, how much does that play into sort of how you see them working out in the major leagues, like more so than just the raw tools that are off the charts? When you think of how the dude I think we compared him to some guy that was like Joe.
Joe said he carries himself like he's a 35 year old man. He does. How much does that play a factor into how you see a prospect working out?
I mean, I think there are probably examples on either side where you watch a guy and you're like, that guy's a knucklehead, and then you're watching him get enshrined in Cooperstown, right? So it happens because guys are just talented. I think what it does is it minimizes the risk, especially when you're considering locking them up for nine years.
And yes, that in all likelihood is going to be a very team-friendly contract, but that's nine years and more money than this franchise has given out. his baseball IQ and the way he carries himself, you know that he is going to continue to work on his game. He's going to help the team win even if things aren't going well.
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