Baseball has always been more than just a game for Pittsburgh Pirates' top prospect Konnor Griffin—it's a platform for something far greater.
As he steps into the right-handed batter's box at PNC Park, with "Nobody" by Casting Crowns featuring Matthew West playing over the speakers, Griffin makes a deliberate pause before settling in for his at-bat. With the top of his bat, he draws a cross in the dirt at the edge of home plate. It's a small, quiet gesture that speaks volumes about what drives him.
"I've always drawn a cross, ever since I was a high school player," Griffin says. "It's just a routine that I have to try and give God the glory as many ways as I can."
Faith has been the cornerstone of Griffin's life since childhood, instilled by his parents, Kevin and Kim. That foundation has carried him through a whirlwind journey: from high school standout, to first-round draft pick, to the consensus top prospect in baseball, and now a $140 million man—all in just two years.
Despite the rapid rise and the spotlight, Griffin has never lost sight of what matters most. "My parents kept me in the church a lot," he recalls. "Once I moved away from home to start my professional career, I just wanted to continue having that as the most important thing in my life. I continued to find churches in the communities that I was spending time at, and I will continue to do that."
That commitment was on full display during the Pirates' annual faith night at PNC Park, where players and coaches gather on the field after the game to share their stories with hundreds of fans. Griffin and his wife, Dendy, were seated along the first base line on Saturday, listening as teammates Tony Beasley, Michael McKenry, Brandon Lowe, and Isaac Mattson delivered their testimonies.
"It was great giving my support to something that I feel so strongly about," Griffin says. "Getting to hear the testimonies... it's just cool to hear."
For Griffin, baseball may be his profession, but faith is his purpose. And every time he steps into the box, that cross in the dirt is a reminder of who he plays for.