Connor
Leard

Leard is 6-foot-4, 190 pound frame but he has advanced body control as Leard should continue to fill out and get stronger. He utilizes those long limbs and, despite the lankiness, keeps his core activated throwing and swinging. In the outfield, he utilizes a ¾ slot and gets the extension on the throw to get it on a line to the infield. At the plate again, he activates the core to get the long limbs through the zone with quick bat speed. On the mound, was methodical and rhythmic in his windup. He was up to 83 mph with his fastball that got on hitters quick out of the hand. He countered the fastball with a 68-70 mph curveball that snaps when he can stay on top. He also flashed a 71-73 mph changeup and a 63-67 mph splitter. 

Long athletic frame standing 6-foot-4, 190-pounds. Posted one of the quicker 60 times with a 6.78. Hits with an open athletic stance, strides to a toe tap, and lands square. Hands load back to a slight arm before getting through the zone with some bat speed and strength. Swing path is slightly uphill and stays on through extension. Lower half finishes completely and Leard maintains solid balance throughout. Exit velocity was 92 mph. Fluid approach in the outfield, fields with solid glove presentation, and clean exchange. Longer arm action throwing from a three-quarter arm slot with above average arm strength at 83 mph. Closed setup from the stretch, waist high lift to balance, flexion in back leg, and hips elevated moving down the mound. Strides down the mound landing on line and finishes towards the plate. Fluid hand break, long arm action, and throws from a three-quarter arm slot. Fastball had hard arm side run and sink at 80-82 touching 83 a few times. Fastball worked to both sides of the plate. Breaking ball had hard late bite with 11/5 shape and some swing and miss potential sitting at 68-70 mph. Splitter was 63-67 mph and showed some diving action with solid arm speed. Changeup was 71-73 with arm speed and intent.

MD Preseason All State

Long projectable frame at 6-foot-4, 180-pounds. Open athletic stance hitting from the right side. Lands slightly closed with hands back and an arm bar. Head drifts forward when foot touches down, but stays fairly well balanced slightly leaning back on contact. Bat path is level and showed line drive tendency. Exit velocity was 90 mph. Got behind the ball well defensively and worked through the throw. Longer arm action and throws from a low three-quarter arm slot at 82 mph from the outfield. Home-1st time was 4.31.  Throws primarily from the stretch with a slower paced low effort delivery. Average balance point getting the lower half going early with slight elevation in the hips and shoulders and lands on line at foot strike. Arm circle was longer and throws from a low three-quarter arm slot. Fastball was at 76-78 mph with some arm side run at times. Curveball had 11/5 shape at 59-62 mph. Lack of arm speed on the curveball as it came out the back of the hand and backed up on the arm side at times. Had feel for the changeup at 62-64 mph with some late fade and kept it down in the zone. Splitter had some tumbling action and had average feel at 58-61 mph.

2019 DIAMONDSKILLS ALL-AMERICAN CAMP

Big projectable frame at 6-foot-4, 180-pounds. Athletic open stance at the plate. Strides closed with a smooth hand load back with a slight arm bar. Short to the ball with a flat path and high finish. Showed some bat speed and strength through the zone and posted a 84 mph exit velo. Slower approach to the ball with choppy steps working through it to a bigger crow hop. Clean exchange to a longer arm action throwing from a low three-quarter slot at 79 mph. Slower paced delivery, engages lower half, strides in line, throws from a low three-quarter arm slot, with a recoil on finish. Fastball works at 78-80 mph with some arm side run. Changeup was 62-63 mph with late life and showed feel for the pitch with present arm speed. Curveball showed 11/5 shape with depth changing multiple planes at 60-62 mph.

MD Fall Invitational

Long, athletic, body type and projectable 6-foot-4, 175 pound frame. Hits from a balanced, athletic, slightly open stance at the plate. Smooth back load and average stride length with a small leg kick. Short, slightly uphill swing path with good extension through contact and some lower half involvement. Showed excellent balance in the box and quick bat speed. Drove balls in the gap during BP showing pull side power and recorded a 86 mph exit velo. Controlled approach to the ball in the outfield. Plays through with a clean exchange and long arm action. Throws from a low three-quarters arm slot with some carry at 78 mph. Ran a 7.52 60-yard dash. Pitches from the stretch with a slow, deliberate leg kick into a tall balance point. Clean hand separation and down to out lower half drive. Throws with long, loose, arm action from a low three-quarters slot with light effort. Creates quick arm speed through release and pitches downhill getting over front side well. Smooth delivery and lands slightly open to the plate with an athletic finish.  Fastball sat 76-77 mph and change-up was 66-69 mph with fade. Split dropped 12/6 at 64-65 mph and breaking ball showed bigger 11/5 shape at 64-65 mph as well.

Summer Classic Scout Blog

Hits from a taller, slightly open set up. Sinks into load with some hand movement. Short swing path with average bat speed. Nice foundation at the plateHas room to fill out frame and get stronger.