- Full name Conor Essenburg
- Born 09/18/2006 in
- Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: R / Throws: L
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Drafted in the 5th round (157th overall) by the Atlanta Braves in 2025 (signed for $1,197,500).
View Draft Report
School: Lincoln-Way West HS, New Lenox, Ill. Drafted/Committed: Kentucky
Age At Draft: 18.8
BA Grade: 50/Extreme
Most high school players never even see upper 90s velocity, let alone do anything with it if they do. Essenburg can claim both. In a high-profile matchup against 102-mph lefthander Jack Bauer, Essenburg swung and missed a few times and then got his barrel on a 99-mph fastball that he sent out of the park to the opposite field. It was a testament to his bat speed, power potential and upside as a hitter. Essenburg is a 6-foot-2, 200-pound two-way player with real upside on both sides of the ball. As a righthanded hitter he swings with intent and has shown solid contact ability, though he can get aggressive in his swing decisions and will need to become a bit more selective at the next level. He’s a below-average runner who should fit best in a corner, but his strong throwing arm would make for a great fit in right field. His arm works on the mound as well, where Essenburg is a low-slot lefthanded pitcher who pitches in the low 90s and has been up to 94. His mid-70s slider has potential with plenty of horizontal life if he can add a bit more power, and he will also throw a low-80s fading changeup. Essenburg could continue playing on both sides of the ball at Kentucky, and scouts seem torn on whether he has greater upside as a hitter or pitcher.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run:40 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55. Fastball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 45.
Top Rankings
Draft Prospects
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School: Lincoln-Way West HS, New Lenox, Ill. Drafted/Committed: Kentucky
Age At Draft: 18.8
BA Grade: 50/Extreme
Most high school players never even see upper 90s velocity, let alone do anything with it if they do. Essenburg can claim both. In a high-profile matchup against 102-mph lefthander Jack Bauer, Essenburg swung and missed a few times and then got his barrel on a 99-mph fastball that he sent out of the park to the opposite field. It was a testament to his bat speed, power potential and upside as a hitter. Essenburg is a 6-foot-2, 200-pound two-way player with real upside on both sides of the ball. As a righthanded hitter he swings with intent and has shown solid contact ability, though he can get aggressive in his swing decisions and will need to become a bit more selective at the next level. He’s a below-average runner who should fit best in a corner, but his strong throwing arm would make for a great fit in right field. His arm works on the mound as well, where Essenburg is a low-slot lefthanded pitcher who pitches in the low 90s and has been up to 94. His mid-70s slider has potential with plenty of horizontal life if he can add a bit more power, and he will also throw a low-80s fading changeup. Essenburg could continue playing on both sides of the ball at Kentucky, and scouts seem torn on whether he has greater upside as a hitter or pitcher.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run:40 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55. Fastball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 45.
