Scottsdale Scorpions
Konuszewski was drafted again in 1992, this time in the seventh round by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Konuszewski began his professional career in Pittsburgh's farm system. He was pitching what he considered to be his "best [season] as a professional pitcher" in 1994 when his progress was interrupted by the 1994–95 Major League Baseball strike. That offseason, he pitched in the Arizona Fall League where he had the distinction of striking out Scottsdale Scorpions outfielder Michael Jordan in a nationally televised game.