Conner
Pavolony

2021 MLB Draft: Pavolony had a strong fall and looked to have improved his bat, but he returned to his early-career label this spring as a strong defensive, but light-hitting backstop. He will show above-average raw power in batting practice, but struggles to make consistent hard contact in game action. He flashes a smooth and easy swing with good timing and rhythm. He can be short to the ball with extension through it. In other times, especially against higher velocities, he shows a late load and stride, which leads to him rushing his swing. His set up is slightly open with a spreadout stance and a rotational swing that leaves a hole on the outer half, making him especially susceptible to breaking pitches down and away. Defensively, he continues to show a plus arm and a quick transfer behind the dish. He also frames well, especially with beating the low pitch to its spot and lifting it up into the strike zone. Overall, he’s still the type of polished defender with a strong arm and raw power that scouts look for behind the plate, but his offensive struggles have deflated his preseason prospect status.

Another Volunteer preseason All-American, Pavolony had appeared to improve in the batter’s box during my look last fall. However, so far this spring he has returned to his early career label as a strong defensive, but light-hitting backstop. He will show above average raw power in batting practice, but with a current batting average hovering around the Mendoza line he has struggled to make consistent hard contact in game action. On a positive note, he did rip his first home run of the season on Sunday, turning around a Ryan Cabarcas sinker for a line drive home run. His swing on this pitch was smooth and easy with good timing and rhythm. He was short to the ball and extended well through it. His upper and lower halves worked well together with good separation and the lower half leading this swing. On many other at-bats, especially against higher velocities, Pavolony showed a late load and stride, which led to him rushing his swing. His set up is slightly open with a spread stance and a rotational swing leaves a hole on the outer half, making him especially susceptible to down/away breaking pitches. Defensively, he continues to show a plus arm and a quick transfer behind the dish, turning a 1.93 POP time with an on the money throw during game action. He also frames well, especially with beating the low pitch to its spot and lifting it up into the strike zone. Overall, he’s still the type of polished defender/power arm/raw power bat prospect that scouts look for behind the plate, but his offensive struggles have deflated his preseason top three round prediction.

Strong bodied catcher who has turned from a defense first backstop as a freshman into a potential middle-of-the-order bat for the Volunteers. Pavolony has big-time power at the plate with developing ability to make consistent contact. Defensively, he showed a plus arm and a quick transfer behind the dish, turning a 1.90 POP time during game action. Overall, he’s the type of power arm/power bat prospect that scouts look for behind the plate, making Pavolony a potential top five round pick in 2021.

Pavolony has broad shoulders and an athletic lower half.  Receives the ball well and shows good accuracy and throwing arm.  At the plate Pavolony has a solid approach, direct path to the ball and good batspeed.  He can leak and get to his front side at times, but sees the ball well.  Aside from his strong catching tool-set Pavolony is the kind of vocal leader you want behind the dish.