01/13/2017 - Under Armour All-America Pre-Season Tournament
Connor has a strong catcher's frame at 5'11/185 lbs. At the plate, he has good balance and delivers a level barrel through contact generating plus bat speed. He flashed pop with his consistent, fluid approach and has more on the horizon when he begins using all fields. Behind the dish, he presented his hands in front to receive. On the mound, he competed with his FB that had run and his 11/5 CB that he showed with signs of command. He brought a great pace and energy to the mound and gathered himself well, using his body with rhythm to deliver. In all - Connor is prepared to jump into his junior season as a leader on either side of the battery.
09/06/2015 - National Tryout Plus - Kansas City, KS
Connor continues to show a lot of improvements in his baseball abilities both as a catcher and on the mound. Behind the plate pop times are showing in the low 2.30 range. Throws are accurate with carry through a clean transfer/exchange. Times will continue to drop as he works to get rid of the baseball quicker. Receiving/blocking skills show as quality tools that will play well at the next level. At the plate, he continues to shine through an athletic setup. Hands are quick, flashing bat speed through a level swing path. He works to stay inside the ball, utilizing all fields and shows a feel for the barrel with baseball jumping off the bat when centered, displaying gap to gap pop. On the mound, arm strength has improved as he threw his top velocity to date, topping out at 76 mph. Fastball shows a range of 72-76 mph with tailing action. Breaking ball displays 10/4 shape with gradual break. He maintains arm speed on his changeup but needs to develop more movement on the pitch. Off speed stuff shows a lot of potential. Control is solid as he throws strikes with all his pitches. Stock on the mound will continue to rise as he builds more arm strength. With 3 years to further develop, Hughes has a lot of potential and will catch the eyes of the collegiate coaches with his baseball abilities, possibly as a two-way guy.
12/27/2014 - Baseball Factory Christmas Camp & Tournament at Pirate City - Session 2
Connor is a very coachable player who has a willingness to learn. Behind the plate, he has a solid setup while presenting a low target sticking pitches out front. Pop times remain in the 2.3 range as he makes accurate throws to 2B. Developing his lateral footwork will help to improve his blocking abilities. At the plate, he shows fluid rhythm working back into a loaded position. He maintains good balance and tracks the ball into the zone. Ball jumps off of his barrel when centered as he hits line-drives. Engaging his lower half more into his swing will help him to increase power at the plate. On the mound, he works quickly and attacks hitters. He throws strikes and works ahead in the count. Breaking ball has 12/6 shape showing to be a solid out pitch. Connor (2018 grad) works hard every day and still has a ton of time to develop his skills.
06/16/2014 - College PREP - Liberty (Kansas City), MO
Connor showed very good improvements in his game during his last workout in Kansas City. Behind the plate, Connor has good body control, soft hands, and he fields on-time. He looks the ball in, keeps the ball in front when blocking, and he throws with good direction to his target. Catching can get better with a lower set-up, looser actions, and a quicker release. On the hill, Connor is a strike thrower who stands over the rubber well. He keeps his eyes on target, separates on time, and he rotates through to his target. Mound effectiveness will get better if Connor can loosen his arm, sharpen his off-speed, and add arm strength. Offensively is where Connor showed his biggest improvements. He raised his hitting and power grades to 45 and 48. Connor has a balanced set-up, an aggressive swing, and he stays inside the baseball well. He has a good load, solid bat speed, and he squares the ball up consistently on the barrel. More lower 1/2 and more extension through the ball should help hitting continue to get better.
12/27/2013 - Baseball Factory Winter Classic
Connor is a respectful and coachable young ballplayer. Behind the plate he showed good knowledge of the position, solid mechanics, footwork and soft hands. Areas for improvement would be shortening his arm action, staying lower on his exchange/transfer and lateral quickness. On the mound, Connor pounds the zone, works quickly and gathers himself well. He needs to get more length on his glove side and more extension out front on finish. At the plate he displayed good bat speed, balance and very good power. Connor can improve by shortening/leveling his swing path and driving the backside more.
09/01/2013 - Interactive Video Program - Indianapolis, IN
Connor is a tall, 2-way player who catches and pitches. Behind the plate, Connor has quiet actions, he tracks the ball well, and his hands are sure. He is quick to block, he gains ground, and he throws with consistency to 2nd base from a loose arm action. On the mound, Connor has a long arm action, a controlled balance point, and level shoulders. He works in good rhythm, lands in a sound position, and he competes in the zone. Offensively, Connor has an athletic set-up, good balance, and good strength in his swing. He has power in his stick, and he gets his lower body through. Overall abilities can improve with work on the following.
Catching
1. Widen base
2. Lower target
3. Added quickness
Pitching
1. Use more lower body
2. More extension
3. Long toss
Offense
1. Load
2. Shorten swing
3. Narrow up base