Connor
Clift

10/20/18 - Los Angeles Open - Clift was arguably at the top of what was a loaded catching group at the event. If the present power in his bat didn't get you excited then his skills behind the plate sure did. As a catcher Clift is quick and instinctive showing the ability to beat the ball to the point both with the glove and when blocking balls in the dirt. Clift shows big time power at the plate and seems to have it all working at the right time. Clift shows present above average bat speed and uses his strong, physical frame to drive balls to all fields with power. Has present pull side over-the-fence power with projectable power to the gaps. Hit two home runs during BP with one of them landing on the shed about 60 feet beyond left-center-field wall. Uses a wide base with high hands setup before a leg lift triggers the swing where his fast hands and plus barrel control whip through the zone. Consistently got the barrel on the ball showing his feel for hitting. At 5-foot-11, 200-pounds, Clift has a strong, durable frame to withstand the rigors of the position.

3/14/18 - Uncommitted. 5-foot-11, 180-pound frame. Thick lower half with defined upper body strength. Strong, physical catcher that looks the part of what you want in terms of body composition with a muscular build throughout his frame. Defensively, Clift shows good instincts and ability to drop to knees to block and recover in a strong throwing position. Good footwork. Receives with quiet hands and frames very well so as to not tip off the umpire on borderline pitches. Vocal, take charge catcher behind the plate. Seemed comfortable receiving the fastball,, curveball, and slider thrown from his starter. There were no stolen base attempts in-game, so his warm up throw downs of 1.95 - 2.08 range are what he have. Offensively, Clift shows a crouched, slightly closed stance and uses a toe-tap trigger with hands at his ear. His frame is built for power and projects to add more to his current gap-to-gap line drive ability. A selective hitter who understands his strike zone, Clift shows the ability to cover all of the plate and go the other way with balls on the outer half. Was clocked at 4.54 home-to-first.