A former MVP who knows something about starting a career with high expectations added to the hype around Pittsburgh Pirates’ top prospect Konnor Griffin.
Bryce Harper was asked for his thoughts on Griffin during Sunday’s spring training game between his Philadelphia Phillies and the Pirates.
Wasting no time, Harper showered Griffin with praise.
Bryce Harper believes Griffin will be a star
“He’s gonna be a stud man,” said Harper about Griffin during a mid-game interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Tom McCarthy and Ruben Amaro Jr.
Harper then even decided to offer the Pirates some advice on how to best utilize Griffin at the beginning of his professional career.
Harper wants to see Griffin in the Big Leagues as soon as possible
“Obviously, I don’t play for the Pirates, but I hope they let him move through the organization pretty quickly and let him get to the big leagues,” expressed Harper. “Obviously, it’s tough when you’re that age trying to play at a high level, but he’s done it his whole life and he wouldn’t be in the position that he is if he wasn’t who he is. I hope they let him in.”
In recent memory, there’s no current player who dealt with more pressure to perform right away than Harper.
After being the clear top prospect, the Washington Nationals selected Harper with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 MLB Draft.
While it’s debatable if Harper has lived up to the insane hype that surrounded his rookie season, he’s certainly put together a career that will likely result in an eventual induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Harper is likely destined for the Hall of Fame
In 14 MLB seasons to this point, Harper has a .280 batting average, 363 home runs, 1,051 RBIs and 1,154 runs scored with a .387 OBP, .519 slug and a .905 OPS. He’s put together a collective bWAR of 54.0, is an eight-time All-Star, two-time National League MVP and was named the 2012 NL Rookie of the Year.
Harper even pivoted his early-career success with the National to signing a 13-year, $330 million contract with the Phillies in 2019.
Pirates fans are relying on Griffin to be their savior
As for Griffin, the Pirates selected the Jackson, Mississippi, native with the ninth overall pick in 2024.
With experience at both shortstop and center field, Griffin hit .333 with 21 homers and 94 RBIs throughout three levels of the minor leagues in 2025. He also posted a .415 OBP, a .527 slug and a .941 OPS.
It remains to be seen how much the Pirates play Griffin in 2026 and if he can live up to the hype, but knowing Harper believes in him will surely help provide the necessary confidence.