The Pittsburgh Pirates may have found their next superstar. Infielder Konnor Griffin is heating up at the perfect time, and MLB insiders are taking notice. After a slow start in April—where he hit just .231 with a .631 OPS—the 20-year-old has turned things around in a big way. Through May, Griffin is slashing .324 with a .959 OPS over 34 at-bats, showing the kind of power and consistency that made the Pirates invest in him long-term.

Griffin’s nine-year, $140 million extension raised eyebrows when it was signed, but he’s starting to prove he’s worth every penny. His May surge has put him squarely in the conversation for the National League Rookie of the Year Award. In a recent poll of MLB experts, Griffin finished fourth in the voting, receiving two first-place votes. Through 35 games, he’s batting .256 with a .721 OPS and leads all NL rookies with nine stolen bases—without being caught once.

MLB.com’s Jason Foster highlighted Griffin’s recent tear: "Through Sunday, Griffin's nine stolen bases were most among NL rookies, while he was tied for first in triples (two) and tied for fourth in hits (32) and RBIs (19). He was hitting .316 with a .913 OPS over his past 10 games through Sunday. This included a four-hit game against the Reds on May 2. Overall, he's been safe in 11 of his past 12 games."

While New York Mets right-hander Nolan McLean is the overwhelming favorite for the award (with 23 first-place votes), there’s still plenty of season left. The Mets currently sit at the bottom of the standings (15-25), while the Pirates are fighting for a playoff spot at 22-19. That team success could sway voters in Griffin’s favor as the summer heats up.

Whether you’re a Pirates fan or just a fan of rising stars, Konnor Griffin is a name you’ll want to remember—and maybe rep on your next jersey.