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Q & A with Mizzou Commit Connor Brumfield (Rock Bridge, 2015)

April 10, 2014

Shon Plack
Missouri Scouting Director

Connor Brumfield (Rock Bridge, 2015)  is a 6-foot 158-pound left-handed hitting outfielder. He runs a 4.1 home-to-first and threw 76 MPH from the outfield at the Kansas City Preseason Showcase in February 2013.

Brumfied is currently leading Rock Bridge to a 4-6 record this season.  His team will play Battle tonight and compete in the West-Central Missouri Baseball Tournament this weekend.  During the offseason, Bumfield committed to the University of Missouri.  Recently, PBR-Missouri had a chance to ask Brumfield about his recruiting process. 

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process?  Was it as expected?  Easy/Difficult? 

Brumfield: Going into high school I thought the recruiting process was going to be a laborious and time-consuming process.  To my surporise though, it was very simple and easy.  My early off was not expected buy I'm grateful it turned out the way it did.

PBR: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?

Brumfield: For me I chose to play at The University of Missouri because they're in the best baseball conference in the nation, the SEC, and they compete with the best teams.  I didn't choose to play there because it was a mile from my home, that is just how it worked out. 

PBR: Where di the college you chose first see you?  How did your relationship develop with them?

Brumfield: My freshman year I went to a camp on Mizzou's campus, and got invited back the next year.  I performed well my sophomore year so again, I got invited back to the one last winter.  In between my sophomore and junior season, I stayed in touch with the coaches and built a good relationship with them.  They also got to see me play in the Junior Sunblet Tournament in McCallister, Oklahoma.  

PBR: Who is the best player you have faced in your state, and why?

Brumfield: Colby Fitch has to the best player that I have faced in my state, and it just so happens that he lives in the same city as me.  He consistently hits ball hard and makes pitchers pay for mistakes.  Defensively, he has a good arm, and fun to compare my speed against a guy like that.

PBR: What has been the lowest point in your baseball career; what have you learned from it and how has it helped you grow as a player?

Brumfield: Last season we lost in the Quarterfinals to Willard and it was devastating because we had the game in the bag but lost it.  A couple of errors and a wild pitch handed the game over and we couldn't recover.  I was a bad way to send off a good group of seniors. 

PBR: At waht poin your career did you relaize you were an elite player and become serious about taking your game to the next level?

Brumfield: I realized that I wan "elite" player my freshman year when my coach called me up to play varisty.  Going into that season I didn't think I'd see JV even, but after practicing for  a few weeks my coach called me up.  That is when I knew my game was pretty good.

PBR: What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?

Brumfield: I wanted a program that had good coaches, and competed at a high level.  Mizzou has both of those, so it was an choice for me.

PBR: What is your best attribute as a baseball player and hoe dies it transfer onto the field for your team?

Brumfield: I don't think I have one stand out attribute that makes me a certain type of player, but rather a well-rounded approach which allows me to contribute in all factors of the game. This allows my coaches to put me in any spot and I can help the team.

PBR: What part of your games needs the biggest improvement, why, and what will you do to improve it?

Brumfield: My arm strength has always been alright, but nothing to really brag about.  I know that to compete for a centerfielder spot in the SEC I need to get my arm strength up.  In the off season I play long toss to get my strength and stamina up.  

PBR: What advice would you give to young basball players striving to get where you are?

Brumfield: When trying to succeed there is no substitute for hard work, and if you want to succeed you have to work to get there.  Another thing is to start working on the mental side of your game as soon as you can because it plays a very big role in this sport.

PBR: What do you do in the offseason to keep yourself in baseball shpae and prepare for the upcoming season?

Brumfield: I work out frequently to keep my body in game shape and hit and throw to keep my skills where they need to be.  In the off season I also work on the mental side of my game, with mental exercises to improve my self-confidence and motivation.

PBR: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?

Brumfield: My freshman you we were playing Hickman at home and it as the third varsity game I had started all season.  I cam up in the bottom of the 8th, which is extra innings because we only play seven in high school.  There was a runner on second and I hit a single over the shortstop's head.  I just remember getting to first and realizing I had hit a walk-off to beat our cross town rivals.  The team swarmed me and it was a great feeling, on that I will never forget.

PBR: What do you like most about the college you committed to and what were the key factors in making your decision? 

Brumfield: I like the coaching staff, and how well they work with their players and recruits alike.  During the whole recruiting process I felt I was respected and cared for on a personal level, rather than just another player.  This partnered with the high level that Mizzou plays at made my decision an easy one.

PBR: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?

Brumfield: I had attended camps at Ole Miss and Missouri State but I had no other offers before Mizzou.  And it just so happened that the school on top of my list offered me first.

PBR: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you?  Was there a particular game or event that you feel turned the corner for you?

Brumfield: After coaches saw me play at the Junior Sunbelt Tournament, I could tell they saw me in a different light.   I was maturing physically and my game was coming together.  After that it took just one good camp to show them I was ready.

PBR: Where do you play in the summer?  And what has been you most memorable experience with them?  I play for Rock Bridge's summer team, Southside.  My favorite memories with the team are just going to play tournaments out of town and playing with all my teammates.  Summer ball is fun because there are never cold games, and I always get on a streak during summer ball.  

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