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Uncommitted 2020 Spotlight: OF/RHP Connor Hennings

December 17, 2019
Ryan Ozella
NorCal Area Scout

Morgan Hill, CA - 2020 OF/RHP Connor Hennings was a Spring pop up during my coverage of the Central Coast Section and since that initial viewing the raw tools have continued to make leaps as he's focused on his development. For the Live Oak Acorns in 2019, Hennings did just about everything being their anchor in the middle of the lineup, their #1 Starting Pitcher and playing strong defense from RF.

At 6-3, 190, Hennings is immediately the first player you notice on the field and when watching the overall athletic ability come out there's a lot to dream on and project for the D1 level. To me, he fits best in the OF where his athleticism, arm strength and power in the bat fit the RF profile. He's also shown the ability to succeed on the hill with a complete three-pitch repertoire that has also improved as he's put in the work. The tools showed up at multiple events this Summer, and when matched with his high-academic and competitive demeanor give him the opportunity to fit multiple types of programs after the 2020 season. Below is a collection of videos, notes and stats showcasing the high upside ability of 2020 OF/RHP Connor Hennings

Scouting ReportS

6/26/19: Bay Area Open OF - Uncommitted. XL frame with length in the limbs and wide chest; projectable frame that can keep adding to it as he matures. Full speed in the first couple steps with flowing legs (7.00 60 yd) able to cover ground quickly; impressive speed for his size. Tall stance, slightly opened with high hands over back shoulder showing high back elbow. Bigger foot lift as weight transfers over back hip keeping hands still and gaining ground with front side. Quick barrel with slightly upward path tucking back arm to body and keeping hands tight through turns; strong ability to stay behind the baseball and lifting through contact (92 EV). Drove the ball to the pullside of the field with easy carry into the gaps having the top hand drive through the zone. Easy controlled athleticism in the OF flowing through the baseball; arm has slight stab in length out of the glove but is loose and able to move quickly while showing the ability to keep the ball on the bag with carry (84 MPH). Have seen the arm be even better at previous events showing the fit to stick in a corner OF spot for the next level. Impressive 2020 that should be on radars of schools. 

 

6/26/19: PBR Bay Area Open - Pitching: At 6-foot-2, 190-pounds, Hennings is an impressive physical specimen, with present day strength but still possessing room within his frame for future strength gains. He's one of the more intriguing all-around athletes in the 2020 class in the region, with tools that rate with the most talented of his peers. Strictly speaking of him as a pitcher, he translates the athleticism to a mostly repeatable delivery, though there is some momentum that moves to the 1st base line. Works well over the rubber but seems to be leaving something in the tank in his post leg and back hip. Stays on-line, lands with consistent footing and slightly closed. Could keep legs under his upper body longer and get chest over front side and find more umph. Fastball (81-83 mph) mostly straight with some down angle and again, feels like there is more in there (for comparison, top OF throw was 84 mph). Slider with traditional shape (74-77 mph) and fair bite. Change-up is a split-finger fastball that had some fade/run when release got far enough. Overall shows coach-able ability on the mound.

 

6/02/19: BAWS 2019 - Hennings was a guy I saw during the Spring and wrote about because of the frame and the tools standing out. Long and strong with space in the frame to continue to project. The athleticism stands out and was on display with all phases of his game. Excellent runner at 6.73 60-yd, Hennings really swang it from a tall stance peppering the LCF gap showing carry and the ability to create loft on the baseball (93 EV); as he learns to get into his legs there’s future pop in the bat. In the OF he’s got a compact arm that has lots of life in it (87 MPH). The OF tools are raw, but have a chance to make a major jump as he learns to harness his athleticism. In games he picked up a couple of hits including driving a line drive 2B into RCF during his last AB. Even when he didn’t square up the ball he ran hard down the line (4.45 H-1st, 4.50T) and showed off his defense in the OF; put a ball on the money to 3rd preventing a runner from advancing. On the mound he showed off a H-3/4 release with arm-side run on the FB (83-84), a diving CHG (76) and a short downer CB (75).  Guys that are 6-3 with space in the frame and strong two-way skills are not easy to find, so Hennings should be on some lists especially since he’s a 4.0 GPA also.

 

4/06/19 At Pioneer - Uncommitted. Large, lean frame with wide squared shoulders and length in the lower half. Very athletic build with frame that can continue to add to it. Keeps hands at mid-chest lifting hands with very high front leg coiling around stiff back leg showing good posture on the mound. Drop and drive gaining lots of ground with push down mound creating some crossfire finishing over stiff front leg; shows athletic ability in hip movements. Arm works compact circle to high-3/4 release; small wrist wrap with the hand behind his back. Elbow can lead early causing pitches to flatten out. FB 78-81 MPH using the pitch above the waist to both sides of the plate; flashes of life up through the zone. SLD 69-72 MPH was short and flat mainly used off the plate and through the bottom of the zone. CHG used very sparingly at 71 MPH and mainly straight with limited depth. Kept hitters off balance for the first 4 innings but pitches flattened out in 5th and got hit hard not being able to escape and giving up 5 runs. At the plate flashed a good swing and the same athleticism from the mound. Open stance with tall, wide stance keeping hands at the back shoulder and flared elbows. Aggressive front foot lift having weight get heavy on it occasionally. Good tilt of shoulders with the ability to whip the bat through the zone with quick arc in swing; bat has times where it’s in and out of the zone quickly. Uses his legs well with long stride moving quickly. Scored after 1B in 1st AB that went under the glove of the RF. Moved to RF after pitching and was aggressive with his angles cutting balls off and coming up ready to throw guys out. Overall very impressive athlete that has raw tool and the projection to take those tools and make major jumps

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION
Orange County Preseason All-State (Invite-Only) CA 01/04 JSerra High School
Riverside County Preseason All-State (Invite-Only) CA 01/05 Elsinore High School
Winter Update Series powered by EM Sports CA 01/07 EM Sports - San Diego
Central Valley Preseason I.D. CA 01/11 Clovis North HS
Winter Update Series powered by EM Sports CA 01/13 EM Sports - Rancho Cucamonga
Winter Update Series powered by Monterey Bay Pirates CA 01/17 Monterey Bay Pirates Facility
California Far North Preseason I.D. CA 01/18 Chico HS
NorCal Preseason All-State (Invite-Only) CA 01/25 Islanders Field at River Islands
Winter Update Series powered by EM Sports CA 01/27 EM Sports - Long Beach
Super 60 Pro Showcase NATIONAL 02/02 The MAX - McCook, IL
Winter Update Series powered by Mike Murphy Baseball CA 02/08 MMB - Walnut Creek


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