​The Cincinnati Reds selected Conner Griffin, an Abington Heights graduate, in the 10th round as the 302nd overall pick of the Major League Baseball Draft on Sunday. Griffin expressed his disbelief and gratitude in a phone interview, praising the Reds organization for its hospitality and welcoming atmosphere during his visit a few weeks prior. “It’s unbelievable,” he said. “The Reds organization was great. I visited there a couple weeks ago and everyone was really nice, and I’m really excited to get to work with them.”
At 6-foot-6 and 210 pounds, the right-handed pitcher from Binghamton University brings a powerful arm to the Reds. Griffin can reach triple digits with his fastball, typically sitting in the 95-96 mph range, and he features a cutter capable of generating swings and misses, along with a quality slider. These attributes were highlighted by RedsMinorLeagues.com and Chatterbox Sports, underscoring Griffin’s potential to develop into a dominant major league pitcher with the Reds’ development system.
“The Reds are going to get someone who’s going to work until I make it,” Griffin stated. He emphasized the core motivation driving his career: making a meaningful impact for the organization he represents, wherever he pitches. “The biggest thing in my life has been making a difference to an organization wherever I’m at, wherever I’m pitching at, and I hope to do the same for Cincinnati.”
Griffin’s college performance at Binghamton University showcased his reliability and strikeout ability. During his junior season, he posted a 3-4 record with a 5.22 ERA across 60.1 innings, making 15 starts and recording 65 strikeouts. He also held opponents to a .215 batting average, earning second-team All-America East Conference honors in recognition of his solid production on the mound.
The 2023 season also highlighted Griffin’s versatility and leadership. He starred at Abington Heights in Pennsylvania, where he earned Lackawanna League Coaches’ All-Star first-team honors and Times-Tribune All-Region selections. Offensively, he led the Comets with a .396 batting average, contributing four doubles, one triple, one home run, 11 runs, and 16 RBIs while appearing in 18 games and collecting 15 hits in 18 opportunities. On the mound, he contributed eight games, striking out 43 batters over 29.2 innings, demonstrating both his hitting and pitching capabilities.
Reflecting on his development, Griffin credited key mentors for shaping his approach to the game. “Growing up and playing baseball here, I learned a lot, but one of the big things I learned came from Coach Robby Judge,” Griffin said. “He taught me how to play the game the right way and how to respect it. He taught me strategies for my work, which I still apply to my game today. That was probably the biggest influence I’ve had so far.”
Now, Griffin is poised to begin his professional journey with the Reds. He will report to the spring training complex in Arizona later this week to begin his readiness for spring training and the next steps in his development arc. “I talked to the Reds area scout who drafted me,” Griffin noted. “Our winter conversations built anticipation, and I’m really excited to get to work with the Reds.” His optimism reflects a focused mindset as he transitions from college to professional baseball, with the aim of climbing the ladder through the Reds’ organization.
This pick adds depth to Cincinnati’s pitching pipeline, given Griffin’s size, velocity, and a repertoire that includes a high-velocity fastball, a penetrant cutter, and an effective slider. If Griffin continues to refine his command and pitch sequencing, he could emerge as a key contributor in the Reds’ future plans. For now, the immediate objective is clear: develop within the Reds’ system, compete in minor league baseball, and work toward contributing at the major league level. Griffin’s commitment to hard work and his aspiration to impact the organization align with Cincinnati’s long-term goals as they cultivate young pitching talent for sustained success.