08/15/2024 - All-Ripken Games - Tennessee, TN Connor had a nice performance at the All-Ripken event and has some promising attributes as both a hitter and a pitcher. Here’s a breakdown of what was witnessed by scouts during the event and some areas he might focus on to further develop his skills: Hitting Stance and Approach: Connor’s slightly open stance is a good strategy for covering the plate and handling outside pitches. This setup helps him stay on the ball and adjust to different pitch locations. Load Phase and Stride: Stepping out of the box during his stride can indeed limit his plate coverage and timing. It might be helpful for him to work on maintaining a more consistent stride direction and staying balanced throughout the swing. This could involve drills that focus on keeping the weight centered and not shifting too much. Power and Contact: It’s encouraging to hear he showed some raw power and was able to get a hit. Continuing to refine his swing mechanics and working on driving through the ball can help him make more consistent contact and increase his power potential. Pitching Balanced Delivery: A balanced delivery is crucial for control and consistency. Connor’s ability to maintain balance will help him with pitching accuracy and effectiveness. Slowing Down the Running Game: His current strategy of picking off to bases is a good start. Incorporating a slide step into his delivery can help him to better control the running game by reducing the time it takes for him to deliver the ball to the plate. This, combined with varied looks to the plate, will make it harder for runners to get good jumps. Defense and Pickoffs: Continued focus on pickoff moves and varying his looks will aid his defense by giving them more opportunities to control baserunners and possibly prevent stolen bases. General Tips for Improvement Drills and Practice: Incorporate specific drills that focus on both hitting and pitching mechanics. For hitting, drills that promote balance and a consistent stride can be beneficial. For pitching, working on different pickoff moves and slide steps can improve his ability to manage baserunners. Strength and Conditioning: Ongoing physical conditioning can improve both his hitting power and pitching performance. A well-rounded fitness regimen that includes strength training, agility, and flexibility work can be advantageous.