Prep Baseball Report

Become a Member

More +

Transformation Thursday: RHP Connor Gatwood

November 16, 2023
Austin Sharp
Alabama Scouting Director

One of our favorite parts of covering these players across the state of Alabama is being able to see the year-by-year progression of prospects as they continue to mature and develop throughout the recruiting process. RHP Connor Gatwood, an Auburn recruit that attends Baker HS in Mobile, AL, has arguably been the most impressive developments we've been able to follow over the last five years of covering the state of Alabama and has vaulted himself up to the No. 2 prospect in the Class of 2024 in AL and is now the top-ranked pitcher in the class, as well.

Gatwood has really made a name for himself ever since attending his first PBR showcase back in January of 2022, where he showed intriguing two-way ability working 84-87 mph at the South AL Preseason All-State event. But it wasn't until the summer of that year where he really made his impression on the mound, showcasing a lively fastball that worked up to 90 mph at the All-State Games. He would go on to recieve an invite to play for Team Alabama at the prestigous PBR Future Games just a month later, and showcased that same impressive fastball that lived 88-90 mph throughout his outing. Fast-forward to this year in 2023, the right-hander showed the ability to make impressive jumps in terms of velocity once he continued to develop and grow into his large frame while still maintaining the same athleticism. Attending the South AL Preseason All-State once again, Gatwood opened the eyes of everyone in attendance, including our staff's, when he hopped on the mound and worked an effortless 92-94 mph with his high-spin fastball (2600 rpm) with above-average secondary offerings. It was then when he really cemented himself as a Top-5 prospect in a loaded Class of 2024 in AL, and proceeded to show that low-90's fastball throughout the spring. Gatwood capped off his summer with a loud showing at the East Coast Pro, where David Seifert, PBR's Director of College Scouting, clocked him up to 98 mph in front of tons of MLB scouts. He quickly rose up to No. 2 in the 2024 class in AL and Top-50 nationally in our recent end of summer rankings update. It's been extremely impressive follow the right-hander's progression over the years, and is certainly a big name to follow in the upcoming MLB Draft in 2024 with one of the highest upsides in prep class across the country. Below, you will find more information, including Trackman pitching data, scouting reports, event video, & much more on the progression of Connor Gatwood.

 

View Full Profile

Connor Gatwood

Class of 2024 / RHP

Rankings  StateRank: 2 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 22 / POS: 6

Player Information

  • Graduating Class: 2024
  • Primary Position: RHP
    Secondary Position: SS
  • High School: Baker
    State: AL
  • Summer Team: Phillies Scout Team
  • Height: 6-5
    Weight: 208lbs
  • Bat/Throw: R/R

Statistics

Pitching
98
Max FB
(08/03/23)
93 - 98
FB
(02/21/24)
86 - 88
CH
(01/08/23)
88 - 91
SL
(02/21/24)
Pitching
Max FB
98
FB
93 - 98
SL
88 - 91
View Event
Pitching
Max FB
98
View Event
Pitching
Max FB
94
FB
92 - 94
CH
86 - 88
SL
84 - 85
View Event
Pitching
Max FB
90
FB
88 - 89
View Event
Position
7.15
60-yard
(07/06/22)
88
INF Velo
(07/06/22)
91
Exit Velo
(01/23/22)
Power Speed Score
(07/06/22)
Position
60-yard
7.15
INF Velo
88
Power Speed Score
View Event
Position
60-yard
7.29
INF Velo
84
Exit Velo
91
Power Speed Score
View Event
Trackman - Fastball
93.7
Velocity (max)
(01/08/23)
92.2 - 93.7
Velo Range
(01/08/23)
92.2
Eff Velocity (avg)
(01/08/23)
2553
Spin Rate (max)
(01/08/23)
2466
Spin Rate (avg)
(01/08/23)
IVB (max)
(07/06/22)
IVB (avg)
(07/06/22)
HM (max)
(01/23/22)
HM (avg)
(01/23/22)
Extension (avg)
(01/23/22)
Release Ht (avg)
(07/06/22)
Spin Score (max)
(01/23/22)
Zone %
(07/06/22)
Spin Efficiency % (avg)
(01/08/23)
Trackman - Fastball
Velocity (max)
93.7
Velo Range
92.2 - 93.7
Eff Velocity (avg)
92.2
Spin Rate (max)
2553
Spin Rate (avg)
2466
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Spin Efficiency % (avg)
View Event
Trackman - Fastball
Velocity (max)
89.8
Velo Range
87.6 - 89.5
Eff Velocity (avg)
87.8
Spin Rate (max)
2539
Spin Rate (avg)
2418
Spin Score (max)
View Event
Trackman - Fastball
Velocity (max)
90.3
Velo Range
88 - 89.8
Eff Velocity (avg)
87.4
Spin Rate (max)
2504
Spin Rate (avg)
2389
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
View Event
Trackman - Fastball
Velocity (max)
87
Velo Range
84.3 - 86.5
Eff Velocity (avg)
85.6
Spin Rate (max)
2469
Spin Rate (avg)
2377
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
View Event
Trackman - Curveball
78.3
Velocity (max)
(01/23/22)
76.8 - 78.3
Velo Range
(01/23/22)
78.6
Eff Velocity (avg)
(01/23/22)
2062
Spin Rate (max)
(01/23/22)
2024
Spin Rate (avg)
(01/23/22)
IVB (max)
(01/23/22)
IVB (avg)
(01/23/22)
HM (max)
(01/23/22)
HM (avg)
(01/23/22)
Extension (avg)
(01/23/22)
Release Ht (avg)
(01/23/22)
Spin Score (max)
(01/23/22)
Zone %
(01/23/22)
Trackman - Curveball
Velocity (max)
78.3
Velo Range
76.8 - 78.3
Eff Velocity (avg)
78.6
Spin Rate (max)
2062
Spin Rate (avg)
2024
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
View Event
Trackman - Slider
84.7
Velocity (max)
(01/08/23)
83.6 - 84.7
Velo Range
(01/08/23)
83.7
Eff Velocity (avg)
(01/08/23)
2278
Spin Rate (max)
(07/27/22)
2245
Spin Rate (avg)
(01/08/23)
IVB (max)
(01/08/23)
IVB (avg)
(01/08/23)
HM (max)
(01/08/23)
HM (avg)
(01/08/23)
Extension (avg)
(01/08/23)
Release Ht (avg)
(01/08/23)
Spin Score (max)
(07/27/22)
Zone %
(01/08/23)
Spin Efficiency % (avg)
(01/08/23)
Trackman - Slider
Velocity (max)
84.7
Velo Range
83.6 - 84.7
Eff Velocity (avg)
83.7
Spin Rate (max)
2263
Spin Rate (avg)
2245
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Spin Efficiency % (avg)
View Event
Trackman - Slider
Velocity (max)
82
Velo Range
80.1 - 82
Eff Velocity (avg)
80.1
Spin Rate (max)
2278
Spin Rate (avg)
2234
Spin Score (max)
View Event
Trackman - ChangeUp
87.9
Velocity (max)
(01/08/23)
85.7 - 87.9
Velo Range
(01/08/23)
86.4
Eff Velocity (avg)
(01/08/23)
1995
Spin Rate (max)
(07/06/22)
1778
Spin Rate (avg)
(07/06/22)
IVB (max)
(07/06/22)
IVB (avg)
(07/06/22)
HM (max)
(01/08/23)
HM (avg)
(01/08/23)
Extension (avg)
(01/23/22)
Release Ht (avg)
(07/06/22)
Spin Score (max)
(07/06/22)
Zone %
(01/08/23)
Spin Efficiency % (avg)
(01/08/23)
Trackman - ChangeUp
Velocity (max)
87.9
Velo Range
85.7 - 87.9
Eff Velocity (avg)
86.4
Spin Rate (max)
1796
Spin Rate (avg)
1705
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Spin Efficiency % (avg)
View Event
Trackman - ChangeUp
Velocity (max)
82.8
Velo Range
80 - 82.8
Eff Velocity (avg)
80.3
Spin Rate (max)
1767
Spin Rate (avg)
1642
Spin Score (max)
View Event
Trackman - ChangeUp
Velocity (max)
83.9
Velo Range
80.3 - 83.9
Eff Velocity (avg)
79.7
Spin Rate (max)
1995
Spin Rate (avg)
1778
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
View Event
Trackman - ChangeUp
Velocity (max)
77.8
Velo Range
77.5 - 77.8
Eff Velocity (avg)
77.9
Spin Rate (max)
1175
Spin Rate (avg)
1131
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
View Event
Trackman - Hitting
93.2
Exit Velocity (max)
(07/06/22)
84.0
Exit Velocity (avg)
(07/06/22)
231
Distance (avg)
(07/06/22)
365
Distance (max)
(07/06/22)
Hard Hit %
(01/23/22)
Sweet Spot %
(07/06/22)
Line Drive %
(07/06/22)
Fly Ball %
(07/06/22)
Ground Ball %
(01/23/22)
Trackman - Hitting
Exit Velocity (max)
93.2
Exit Velocity (avg)
84
Distance (avg)
231
Distance (max)
365
Hard Hit %
Sweet Spot %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Ground Ball %
View Event
Trackman - Hitting
Exit Velocity (max)
91.3
Exit Velocity (avg)
80.6
Distance (avg)
150
Distance (max)
252
Hard Hit %
Sweet Spot %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Ground Ball %
View Event
Blast - Hitting
22.0
Hand Speed (max)
(07/06/22)
20.9
Hand Speed (avg)
(07/06/22)
73.5
Bat Speed (max)
(01/23/22)
70.3
Bat Speed (avg)
(01/23/22)
Rot. Acc (max)
(07/06/22)
Rot. Acc (avg)
(07/06/22)
On Plane Eff (avg)
(07/06/22)
MaxOnPlaneEfficiency
(01/23/22)
Blast - Hitting
Hand Speed (max)
22
Hand Speed (avg)
20.9
Bat Speed (max)
72.4
Bat Speed (avg)
69.7
Rot. Acc (max)
Rot. Acc (avg)
On Plane Eff (avg)
MaxOnPlaneEfficiency
View Event
Blast - Hitting
Hand Speed (max)
21.2
Hand Speed (avg)
20.3
Bat Speed (max)
73.5
Bat Speed (avg)
70.3
Rot. Acc (max)
Rot. Acc (avg)
On Plane Eff (avg)
MaxOnPlaneEfficiency
View Event

Vizual_Edge

Visual Skills
64.45
Edge Score
(07/06/22)
Visual Skills
Edge Score
64.45
View Event
Visual Skills
Edge Score
56.5
View Event

ProPlayAI

ProPlayAI - Foot Plant
Elbow Flexion (avg)
(07/27/22)
Shoulder Abduction (avg)
(07/27/22)
Hip Shoulder Seperation (avg)
(07/27/22)
ProPlayAI - Foot Plant
Elbow Flexion (avg)
Shoulder Abduction (avg)
Hip Shoulder Seperation (avg)
View Event
ProPlayAI - Foot Plant
Elbow Flexion (avg)
Shoulder Abduction (avg)
Hip Shoulder Seperation (avg)
View Event
ProPlayAI - MER
External Rotation (avg)
(07/27/22)
Stride Length (avg)
(07/06/22)
Horizontal Abduction (avg)
(07/06/22)
ProPlayAI - MER
External Rotation (avg)
Stride Length (avg)
Horizontal Abduction (avg)
View Event
ProPlayAI - MER
External Rotation (avg)
Stride Length (avg)
Horizontal Abduction (avg)
View Event
ProPlayAI - Release
Arm Speed (max)
(07/06/22)
Arm Speed (avg)
(07/06/22)
Knee Extension Velocity (max)
(07/06/22)
Knee Extension Velocity (avg)
(07/06/22)
Knee Flexion (avg)
(07/27/22)
Arm Slot (avg)
(07/27/22)
Lateral Trunk Tilt (avg)
(07/27/22)
Arm Path (avg)
(07/27/22)
Deception (avg)
(07/06/22)
Torque (avg)
(07/27/22)
Efficiency (avg)
(07/27/22)
Sequencing (avg)
(07/06/22)
ProPlayAI - Release
Arm Speed (max)
Arm Speed (avg)
Knee Extension Velocity (max)
Knee Extension Velocity (avg)
Knee Flexion (avg)
Arm Slot (avg)
Lateral Trunk Tilt (avg)
Arm Path (avg)
Deception (avg)
Torque (avg)
Efficiency (avg)
Sequencing (avg)
View Event
ProPlayAI - Release
Arm Speed (max)
Arm Speed (avg)
Knee Extension Velocity (max)
Knee Extension Velocity (avg)
Knee Flexion (avg)
Arm Slot (avg)
Lateral Trunk Tilt (avg)
Arm Path (avg)
Deception (avg)
Torque (avg)
Efficiency (avg)
Sequencing (avg)
View Event

Swift

Swift
1.74
10-yd
(07/06/22)
3.96
30-yd
(07/06/22)
7.15
60-yd
(07/06/22)
19.3
Run speed (max)
(07/06/22)
8.4
Run Speed (avg)
(07/06/22)
2.14
RSi (max)
(07/06/22)
1.69
RSi (avg)
(07/06/22)
1628
Jump Power (max)
(07/06/22)
29.3
Jump Height (max)
(07/06/22)
29.3
Jump Height (avg)
(07/06/22)
Swift
10-yd
1.74
30-yd
3.96
60-yd
7.15
Run speed (max)
19.3
Run Speed (avg)
8.4
RSi (max)
2.14
RSi (avg)
1.69
Jump Power (max)
1628
Jump Height (max)
29.3
Jump Height (avg)
29.3
View Event

Scouting Report

8/03/23

Touching 98 mph in the first inning, uncommitted RHP Connor Gatwood (Baker HS, AL) struggled at times to find the strike zone with his heater, but at 6-foot-5, 195 pounds, he's super athletic with a quick arm and the raw talent is rare. He does need polish with his control and the lengthy time to the plate from the stretch that allowed a couple stolen bases, but time, instruction and repetitions are all he needs. Look for Gatwood to continue to climb follow lists this fall. He’s a potential Day One talent.

1/08/23

Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 6-4, 188-pounds. Long limbs, lean frame, athletic.
Delivery: Controlled delivery, hybrid start.
Arm Action: RH. Live and loose arm, easy action.
FB: T93.7, 92-94 mph. Working both sides of the zone, effortless out of the hand. T2553, 2466 average rpm.
SL: 84-85 mph. Struggled with command at times. Hard sweeper. T2263, 2245 average rpm.
CH: 86-88 mph. Fading action arm side. T1796, 1705 average rpm.

7/06/22

Positional Profile: SS
Body: 6-3, 180-pounds. Lean, long, athletic frame.
Hit: RHH. Even stance, slightly upright. Slice, lift to the swing.
Power: 93.2 max exit velocity, averaged 84 mph. 365’ max distance.
Arm: RH.  INF - 88 mph.  Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Solid footwork, great lateral ability, athletic arm.
Run: 7.15 runner in the 60.

Positional Profile: RHP
Delivery: Effortless and easy actions.
Arm Action: RH. Mid 3/4 arm slot.
FB: T90.3, 88.0-89.8 mph. Working well to glove side. T2503, 2388 average rpm.
SL:  Downward, late bite. T,  average rpm.
CH: 80.3-83.9 mph. Plays well off the fastball with similar slot. T1994, 1777 average rpm.

1/23/22

Positional Profile: SS/3B Interesting 2024 to follow.
Body: 6-3, 170-pounds. Long, proportional frame with plenty of room for added strength.
Delivery: Athletic, controlled delivery. Easy and repeatable.
Arm Action: RH. Quick arm from a high 3/4 slot. Long arm swing on the back.
FB: T87, 84.3-86.5 mph. Showed arm side action that played in the lower third of the zone.  T2468, 2376 average rpm.
CB: 76.8-78.3 mph. Sharp break with 11/5 shape, showed really late action.   T2062, 2024 average rpm.
CH: 77.5-77.8 mph. Played mostly straight but showed legit sink.  T1175, 1130 average rpm.

1/23/22

Positional Profile: SS/3B Interesting 2024 to follow.
Body: 6-3, 170-pounds. Long, proportional frame with plenty of room for added strength.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup with a short leg kick.  Short, direct path to contact with leverage through the zone, showing a middle approach.
Power: 91.3 max exit velocity, averaged 80.6 mph. 252’ max distance.
Arm: RH.  INF - 84 mph.  Long, over the top arm action.
Defense: Steady hands with a clean transfer, showed the ability to throw from different arm slots with ease.
Run: 7.29 runner in the 60.


Videos

2023 East Coast Pro

Player News

   

+ Follow on Twitter: @PBR_Alabama
+ Follow on Instagram: @PBR_Alabama
+ Follow on Facebook: PBR Alabama

  

Upcoming Events

SHOWCASE DATE LOCATION
Birmingham Preseason ID January 3rd, 2024 GeauxPlay Sports (Pelham, AL)
Huntsville Preseason ID January 4th, 2024 Clutch Performance (Huntsville, AL)
North Alabama Preseason All-State January 6th, 2024 Hartselle HS Indoor (Hartselle, AL)
South Alabama Preseason All-State January 7th, 2024 Saraland HS (Saraland, AL)

 

+ Click HERE to create a free profile.
+ Click HERE to purchase a subscription which gives you access to additional information on the site. 

  

Related Content: