Scouting prep players has always been challenging because of the necessary travel requirements to watch these prospects in-game action. I've leaned too much on prospect showcases to gauge potential in teenagers' running drills. Recently, Perfect Game streamed their hosted tournament on YouTube. USA Baseball will host its National High School Invitational in April and stream those games.
I wish that Jackson Prep was involved in those tournaments, as it would be great to see Konnor Griffin against better competition. The people I speak with in the industry agree he's the best prospect in this class and maybe the only prep player who could be drafted in the top ten picks. It's loud tools with projections of plus ability (60-grade or better) with power, speed, and throwing. If Griffin were moved to center field, we could add fielding to the 60-grade or better projection.
One concern for Griffin is contact. He didn't show much in showcase games last summer because of a shoulder injury. Scouts attending Griffin's games make it a focal point of what to watch when following him this spring. In the past, I would have to lean on these scouting reports to help shape my opinion of a particular prep prospect.
When the White Sox drafted Colson Montgomery, our best friend, Jim Callis of MLB.com, gave me a heads-up to learn more about him. Luckily, the Indiana High School Baseball finals were streamed, and I got a chance to watch Montgomery in action. It was just one game, but I could understand why the White Sox were interested in him from his performance.
A good fortune for me is that Jackson Prep has a production company that streams their sporting events. It's not cheap ($100 for a season), but now I have access to the on-demand video for all of Griffin's home games in 2024. The video quality could be better, but shortly, I'll be putting together video highlights of the critical plays. Together, we can figure out if Griffin is worth the risk of taking fifth overall.
Here are my notes from my first look at Griffin in game action.
Game Date: March 1, 2024
Opponent: Kosciusko
Game Result: Jackson Prep 8, Kosciusko 4
Griffin’s batting line: 2-for-3, 2 R, BB, 4 SB
Hitting Notes
- Stance reminds me a lot of San Diego Padres third baseman, Manny Machado. An open stance with hands up high shoulder level and a leg kick.
- First PA: A single up the middle on a high pitch. Griffin topped the ball, generating a grounder that was still well struck.
- Second PA: A walk after Griffin saw multiple breaking pitches. Showed good discipline to lay off slow curveballs.
- Third PA: With runners on base, Griffin got the barrel out a little too far on an outside fastball. Another ground ball forced the shortstop to make a diving stop, but with Griffin’s speed it resulted in an infield single.
- On the broadcast, they shared velocities that were in the 70’s MPH against Griffin. Perhaps waiting just a bit more and trusting the hands could have resulted in louder contact towards center field.
Fielding Notes
- Jackson Prep is having Griffin play shortstop when not pitching
- In the first inning with runners on the corners, Kosciusko put on a play having the runner on first start running towards second base. It forced the Jackson Prep pitcher to start the rundown with a throw to Griffin at second. Instead of chasing the runner back to first while keeping an eye on the runner on third base, Griffin instantly made a throw. This allowed the lead runner to score easily even though the throw back to Griffin did result in an out at second base.Later in the game, there was another rundown situation when Griffin cut off a throw from the outfield and a baserunner got caught between second and third base. In that situation, Griffin utilized his speed to tag the runner out.
- On a high chopper that Griffin had little chance of making an out, he made an awkward leap while throwing on the run. Would like to see a little more composure throwing off the back foot and not a half jump throw that missed the target (pulled the first baseman off the bag).
- On a grounder hit towards Griffin, he did show composure on a two-hopper and flashed his plus-arm strength with an accurate throw.
- Easily caught an infield pop-up while loudly calling everyone off in the infield.
Running Notes
- Griffin was easily the fastest player on the field. Opposing catcher did not have the arm strength to throw Griffin out at second or third base. Timing was OK. There was one opportunity for Griffin to be picked off at first base as he was caught leaning. While the jumps could be better, the closing speed is legit. Griffin can really move.
Notable Performances
- I recommend reading Keith Law’s coverage of the tournament in Houston this past weekend. He got a chance to see Texas A&M outfielder Braden Montgomery, who has been red hot at the plate this past week.
- Speaking of Law, he posted his Top 30 2024 MLB Draft Prospects on The Athletic. It’s only been three weeks, but I foresee the Sox Machine Top 100 shifting even though I want to wait until April to make those adjustments. I think ranking Georgia’s Charlie Condon #1 prospect overall preseason would have raised eyebrows, but not after his start to 2024. Condon has more home runs (9) than strikeouts (8) in the first 13 games and has four games this weekend against Northern Colorado.
- After his disastrous Opening Day appearance, Arkansas LHP Hagen Smith has back-to-back double digit strikeout games. In his last two starts: 12 IP 4 H 1 ER 2 BB 29 K facing 42 batters. That’s a nice 69% strikeout rate for Smith against Oregon State and Murray State.
- Florida’s Jac Caglianone is waking up. He had a great starting pitching performance against Miami this past Sunday going 6 IP 3 H 0 R 2 BB 11 K, but the bat is picking up. In his last five games, Caglianone has four home runs and is now hitting .480 on the season.
| 2024 NCBWA DIVISION I POLL (MARCH 4) | ||||
| Rk. | School | Conference | Record | Pvs. |
| 1 | Wake Forest | ACC | 10-1 | 1 |
| 2 | LSU | SEC | 11-1 | 2 |
| 3 | TCU | Big 12 | 12-0 | 3 |
| 4 | Arkansas | SEC | 9-2 | 5 |
| 5 | Oregon State | Pac-12 | 11-1 | 4 |
| 6 | Texas A&M | SEC | 11-0 | 8 |
| 7 | Tennessee | SEC | 11-1 | 7 |
| 8 | Florida | SEC | 8-3 | 6 |
| 9 | Clemson | ACC | 9-2 | 11 |
| 10 | Duke | ACC | 10-1 | 9 |
| 11 | Virginia | ACC | 10-1 | 10 |
| 12 | Vanderbilt | SEC | 10-3 | 13 |
| 13 | Alabama | SEC | 11-1 | 15 |
| 14 | North Carolina | ACC | 10-2 | 16 |
| 15 | NC State | ACC | 9-2 | 19 |
| 16 | East Carolina | American Athletic | 7-4 | 12 |
| 17 | Texas Tech | Big 12 | 9-2 | 18 |
| 18 | DBU | CUSA | 10-1 | 23 |
| 19 | Coastal Carolina | Sun Belt | 9-2 | 22 |
| 20 | Auburn | SEC | 9-2 | 20 |
| 21 | Florida State | ACC | 10-0 | RV |
| 22 | UC Irvine | Big West | 10-0 | 25 |
| 23 | South Carolina | SEC | 8-3 | 17 |
| 24 | Texas | Big 12 | 7-4 | 14 |
| 25 | Kentucky | SEC | 10-1 | RV |
Games I’m Watching This Weekend
#10 Duke at #1 Wake Forest
Friday: 5:00 PM CT
Saturday: 2:00 PM CT
Sunday: 12:00 PM CT
Network: ACC Extra
It’s going to be a big film capture weekend for me as we get to see Wake Forest’s first test of 2024 with the Blue Devils coming into town. This series will be a nice test to see how Chase Burns handles a good hitting lineup.
