Conor
Essenburg

A dynamic two-way prospect in the state’s 2025 class, 1B/LHP Conor Essenburg (Lincoln-Way West; Kansas State commit) put his talents on display at The MAX this weekend. A 6-foot-1, 198-pound athlete, Essenburg repeatedly produced hard contact to the middle of the field from a fast left-handed swing. He found the barrel seven times at 95+ or higher throughout his round, with his three hardest batted balls checking in at 101 mph, 102.1 mph, and 105.1 mph, respectively. All of Essenburg’s Blast Motion metrics are advanced - peak hand speed (24.1 mph), average hand speed (23.6 mph), max bat speed (80.3 mph), average bat speed (77.9 mph). He tied for the event’s hardest throw across the infield, from first base, at 90 mph, and he also pitched at 86-88 mph on the mound.

1B/LHP Conor Essenburg (Lincoln-Way West, 2025; Kansas State commit) looked the part as not only the best player on the diamond on Saturday, but one of the top athletes in the Illinois’ 2025 class. The right-handed batter presented serious power potential at the plate, consistently barreling line drives to the pull-side. His high EV’s, previously recorded at 100.4 mph this past winter, were noteworthy in live action. In a solid 6-foot-1, 190-pound frame, Essenburg presented a quick bat and aggressive approach in the batter’s box. He continues to elevate his level of play, heading into the offseason as the No. 4 ranked prospect in Illinois’ 2025 class.

Essenburg did it all for Lincoln-Way West this spring, which resulted in him earning third-team honors. At the plate, he recorded 124 at-bats, 45 hits, 40 RBIs, and seven home runs. Essenburg finished with a slash line of .363/.397/.653. On the mound, he broke a school record with 98 Ks over 54 IP. The Kansas State commit kept a BAA of .186, cementing himself as one of the top two-way prospects in the 2025 class. Just a sophomore, Essenburg is a high-follow prospect for the upcoming years.

One of the top two-way prospects in the class is Kansas State commit 1B/LHP Conor Essenburg (Lincoln-Way West, 2025). The right-handed hitter provided one of the more powerful rounds of batting practice at the event producing a max exit velocity of 98.6 mph, an average exit velocity of 90.6 mph, and a max batted distance of 363 feet. On the infield, Essenburg is an advanced first baseman with soft hands, athletic actions and a strong arm that plays clean and topped at 84 mph. He later hopped on the mound and sat 84-86 mph, topping out at 86.8 mph with natural armside run (17.1” HM avg). Essenburg mixed in a short breaking slider with 1/7 shape in the low-70s (2085 average rpm). He also showed off an advanced changeup that led the event with the most horizontal movement (21.4” avg).

One of the top two-way prospects in the class is Kansas State commit 1B/LHP Conor Essenburg (Lincoln-Way West, 2025). The right-handed hitter provided one of the more powerful rounds of batting practice at the event producing a max exit velocity of 98.6 mph, an average exit velocity of 90.6 mph, and a max batted distance of 363 feet. On the infield, Essenburg is an advanced first baseman with soft hands, athletic actions and a strong arm that plays clean and topped at 84 mph. He later hopped on the mound and sat 84-86 mph, topping out at 86.8 mph with natural armside run (17.1” HM avg). Essenburg mixed in a short breaking slider with 1/7 shape in the low-70s (2085 average rpm). He also showed off an advanced changeup that led the event with the most horizontal movement (21.4” avg). 

Kansas State commit. Essenburg had an impressive performance last week on both the mound and at the plate. On the week he went 6-for-14 (.429) with a home run and three doubles. In their 4-3 win against Lincoln-Way Central, Essenburg threw seven innings, struck out 10, walked three, allowed two runs and three hits. He also went 2-for-4 with a double in the game. In their 4-3 loss to Palatine, Essenburg went 1-for-3 with a home run and an RBI.

Week 2: Essenburg was named the Week 2 PBR Illinois Pitcher of the Week after tossing six innings with 13 strikeouts, one hit and one walk.

Week 8: Essenburg went 3-for-9 (.333) with a home run and two RBIs. He also threw 6.2 innings on the mound and tallied 17 strikeouts, earning a mention within our Week 8 Diamond Notes.

Kansas State commit. The Warriors went 3-0 on the week with two wins over Stagg and one win over Hanover Central. Essenburg had an impressive week on the mound and at the plate. For the week he went 3-for-9 (.333) with a home run and two RBIs. In their 5-1 win over Stagg, Essenburg threw 6.2 innings on the mound, with two hits allowed, one earned run, one walk and 17 strikeouts.

Week 2: Essenburg was named the Week 2 PBR Illinois Pitcher of the Week after tossing six innings with 13 strikeouts, one hit and one walk.

Kansas State commit. Currently ranked No. 7 in the state, No. 318 in the country. 6-foot-1, 190-pound frame with some strength starting to show, still has plenty of room to add on more strength as he matures. Showed well at the plate as he went 2-for-5 with a double and an RBI. Mature and confident presence in the box, remaining ready to hit and often attacking early in the count. Showcased high-level bat and hand speed, working through the zone with intent to lift, also showing the ability to sit back on the breaking ball as he lifted a curveball up in the zone to his pull-side gap for a double. Impressed in the outfield as well with steady hands and actions, also showing off premier arm-strength as he gunned a runner out at home with a throw on the fly from right-field. High-level 2025 with legitimate two-way potential at the next level. 

Kansas State commit. Currently ranked No. 7 in the state, No. 318 nationally. 6-foot-1, 190-pounds, athletic build with some strength starting to show. Started on the mound for the Warriors and fired five shutout innings with three hits, eight strikeouts and four walks. The southpaw worked his fastball up to 90 mph, sitting right at 89 mph for a good portion of his start before settling in at 86-88 mph with heavy ASR. He went to a sharp, downer breaking ball at 76-80 mph, dumping it in both for strikes and to put hitters away. He also went to a fading changeup at 80-81 mph in which he maintains arm-speed. High-level 2025 with advanced feel over his arsenal. 

Kansas State commit. Currently ranked No. 7 in the Illinois’ 2025 class. 6-foot-1, 190-pound, frame, continues to tick up with quality lean muscle throughout. True two-way prospect, got the start on the mound and hit in the two-hole. Took a number of quality, intentful swings on the day. Presence in the box, consistently on-time, selectively aggressive, loose, strong hands and the bat stays in the zone a long time with well above-average bat speed. Fouled a 92 mph fastball straight back in his first at-bat before seeing a breaking ball up in the zone and barreling it to deep center field for a double. Just missed a ball in his final at-bat, flying out to left field. Overall, impressive offensive showing. Finished 1-for-3 with a double and run scored. On the mound, he was equally as impressive. Athletic mover down the mound, short, clean arm action, ¾ slot with seemingly more velocity to come. Fastball gets all kinds of natural running and sinking action, late life and held 85-88 mph throughout, touching 89 early. Showed a well-above average breaking ball that played with feel, anywhere from 74-79 mph with the ability to manipulate shape and depth. Waited until late in the outing to show a changeup and used it with two strikes for consecutive strikeouts at 78 mph. One of the top left-handed arms in the class with upside to all parts of his game. Got the win going five innings, two hits, one run, 11 strikeouts and two walks. 

1B/LHP Conor Essenburg (Lincoln-Way West, 2025), a recent Kansas State commit, showed off some natural actions on the infield, moving around the bag with fluid footwork and soft hands with a clear feel for the position - also reaching up to 89 mph across the diamond which is four mph harder than our last look. At the plate, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound, right-handed hitter has a fluid, upside right-handed swing that works on-plane with rhythm and feel for the barrel. The true, two-way prospect is a southpaw on the mound with an advanced fastball curveball combination, sitting 86-88 mph with some big arm side action, pairing well with a slurve type breaking ball that works across the zone. 

1B/LHP Conor Essenburg (Lincoln-Way West, 2025), a recent Kansas State commit, showed off some natural actions on the infield, moving around the bag with fluid footwork and soft hands with a clear feel for the position - also reaching up to 89 mph across the diamond which is four mph harder than our last look. At the plate, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound, right-handed hitter has a fluid, upside right-handed swing that works on-plane with rhythm and feel for the barrel. The true, two-way prospect is a southpaw on the mound with an advanced fastball curveball combination, sitting 86-88 mph with some big arm side action, pairing well with a slurve type breaking ball that works across the zone.

Positional Profile: 1B/LHP
Body: 6-1, 190-pounds. Broad-shouldered, athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Tall open stance, slight leg kick, minimal hand load. Fluid, athletic sewing, on the barrel and on plane. Stays balanced with present bat speed.
Power: 100 max exit velocity, averaged 95.5 mph. 354’ max distance.
Arm: LH. INF - 89 mph. Loose, athletic arm, plays from a 3/4 slot. Strong arm.
Defense: Soft hands, athletic actions with fluid footwork, plays with some rhythm and above-average feel.
Run: 7.18 runner in the 60.

Positional Profile: 1B/LHP
Body: 6-1, 190-pounds. Broad-shouldered, athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Tall open stance, slight leg kick, minimal hand load. Fluid, athletic sewing, on the barrel and on plane. Stays balanced with present bat speed.
Power: 100 max exit velocity, averaged 95.5 mph. 354’ max distance.
Arm: LH. INF - 89 mph. Loose, athletic arm, plays from a 3/4 slot. Strong arm.
Defense: Soft hands, athletic actions with fluid footwork, plays with some rhythm and above-average feel.
Run: 7.18 runner in the 60. 

Delivery: Slight drop and drive delivery, long levers work rotationally.
Arm Action: LH. Long arm action out of 3/4 slot, easy arm.
FB: T88, 86-88 mph. Plays with arm side run, easy life. T2205, 2146 average rpm.
CB: 72-75 mph. Slurve type works across zone from lower slot. Occasional decel. T2244, 2148 average rpm.
KN: 75-77 mph. True knuckle action, minimal rotational, around the zone.

LHP/1B Conor Essenburg (Lincoln Way-West, 2025) has feel and instincts to his overall game. Offensively, the right-handed hitter has an athletic swing that stays on-plane and repeats natural gap-to-gap contact. Defensively, he moves athletically and his arm works in unison with his body, routinely firing firm and accurate throws that showed life and carry from a loose/whippy arm; also acting as an elite defender at first base. His arm easily translates over to the mound, working with a controlled tempo into a short balance point, gliding down the mound while remaining in-line. He worked his fastball in the 84-88 mph range, playing with clear life out of the hand and life through the zone. His best secondary offering was a sharp 1/7 breaking ball, thrown with feel to his glove-side on the back-foot of would-be righties, 70-73 mph. His changeup plays with hard fading action to his arm-side, kept mostly down at 76-78 mph. To round out his repertoire he went to an intriguing knuckleball, thrown hard at 73-77 mph while killing spin and playing with unpredictable action. 

Positional Profile: 1B/LHP
Body: 6-0, 165-pounds. Long legged
Hit: RHH. Tall, slightly open setup. Smooth leg lift timing trigger. Athletic swing, lets the ball travel, fast hands, works uphill and on-plane throughout, stays inside the baseball.
Power: 91.7 max exit velocity, averaged 76.2 mph. 305’ max distance.
Arm: LH. INF - 85 mph. Short, clean arm action. High 3/4 slot. Quick to release at times. Throws play with carry across the diamond.
Defense: Athletic actions, quick feet and exchange with feel for the position.
Run: 7.63 runner in the 60. 

Essenburg has an athletic look to his overall game and especially at the plate. It is a loose, athletic swing that gets extension through contact and is tailored to elevate the baseball with authority and sit somewhere in the middle of an order. He is also an above-average first baseman and has a bright future on the mound, though he did not pitch at this event; his 85 mph high across from a loose, quick left-handed arm is evidence of this, however.

6-foot, 153 pounds; long levers, high waist, present athleticism. Came in relief to strike out nine over five innings to secure the win on Friday night at our PBR at The Rock Championships. Upside arm, ¾ slot with a loose/quick arm speed, touching 79 mph with the fastball; 2/8 slider at 64-67 mph, clear feel to spin it, advanced for his age, measured around the 2,100 rpm range. Right-handed hitter with an aggressive presence in the box; gap-to-gap hitter. Quiet, fluid pre-pitch, simple and short to the zone, loose hands, all-fields batted balls. Launched several hard-hit baseballs into both gaps, up-the-middle approach offensively. Drove in 12 runs over the weekend, including five in the team’s championship game victory.