A fastball with hop has a flat approach angle and visually jumps through the zone. When thrown up in the zone, it is more likely to generate a higher swing and miss average. Hop+ of 100 is MLB average.
Fastball
Sink+
A fastball with sink has low backspin and drops through the strike zone. When thrown down in the zone, it is more likely to generate a higher ground ball percentage and lower launch angle. Sink+ of 100 is MLB average.
Fastball
Rise+
A fastball with rise has a high percentage of backspin. When thrown up in the zone, it is more likely to generate a higher fly ball percentage. Rise+ of 100 is MLB average
Brennan Connell: RHP/3B, (2021) Olathe West, KS. A durable 6-foot-2, 185-pound frame. On the mound, the right-hander works from an average tempo delivery that he repeats well. Uses a high leg kick and finishes slightly to the first base side. Arm action is moderate in the back before coming through a high-3/4 slot. Connell threw his fastball at 80-81 mph, kept its plane in the zone consistently. Two-seam shows arm side run. Curveball shows near 12/6 shape with rolling action at 67-68 mph. The changeup shows come fade at 72-72 mph. In the game, punched out two quality hitters.
6/5/18 - Connell is a 6-foot-1 165-pound right-handed hitting third baseman and right-handed pitcher in Kansas’ 2021 class. He ran a 7.44 60 and a 4.72 home to first. He has an 82 mph exit velocity. At the plate, balanced set up, smooth load with weight shift to back side to load, accelerates aggressively to the ball, quick hands, short to contact, slight lift to end of bat path, solid contact gap to gap during hitting evals. On the infield, 80 mph positional velocity, quick catch and throw from a high three quarters arm slot, quick to the ball with footwork, maintains momentum through the catch, accurate throws. On the mound, controlled tempo in delivery, throws with regular effort, short takeaway, loose and quick arm speed, hides ball until release, throws high number of strikes, repeats release point, fastball has occasional run, 80-83 mph, breaking ball at 63-65 mph, 12-to-6 action, throws for a strike, gradual action, lean build with loose arm action would suggest increases with continued physical development.
2/24/18 - Connell is an athletically built 6-foot 160-pound right-handed hitting third baseman and right-handed pitcher in Kansas’ 2021 class. He ran a 4.39 home to first and has an 81 mph exit velocity. At the plate, open stance, holds hands high in set up, smooth separation of hands and stride, loose and level bap plane, gap to gap line drives, flashing pull power, has good barrel awareness. On the infield, 80 mph positional velocity, high three quarters, smooth and under control to the ball with fluid exchange, feet create momentum though the catch, mostly accurate throws. On the mound, Connell comes from and over the top arm slot, controlled leg with rotation, smooth acceleration down the mound, tall and fall type delivery, arm works with loose arm action, hits the ball well, fastball was 79-81 mph, has command, breaking ball at 66-68 mph, 12-to-6 shape, throws for a strike and looks to be a good pitch with continued development, downward action, change up at 66-68 mph, slight sinking action, fastball arm speed, athletic build and clean arm action would suggest more to come down the road.
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Brennan Connell: RHP/3B, (2021) Olathe West, KS. A durable 6-foot-2, 185-pound frame. On the mound, the right-hander works from an average tempo delivery that he repeats well. Uses a high leg kick and finishes slightly to the first base side. Arm action is moderate in the back before coming through a high-3/4 slot. Connell threw his fastball at 80-81 mph, kept its plane in the zone consistently. Two-seam shows arm side run. Curveball shows near 12/6 shape with rolling action at 67-68 mph. The changeup shows come fade at 72-72 mph. In the game, punched out two quality hitters.
6/5/18 - Connell is a 6-foot-1 165-pound right-handed hitting third baseman and right-handed pitcher in Kansas’ 2021 class. He ran a 7.44 60 and a 4.72 home to first. He has an 82 mph exit velocity. At the plate, balanced set up, smooth load with weight shift to back side to load, accelerates aggressively to the ball, quick hands, short to contact, slight lift to end of bat path, solid contact gap to gap during hitting evals. On the infield, 80 mph positional velocity, quick catch and throw from a high three quarters arm slot, quick to the ball with footwork, maintains momentum through the catch, accurate throws. On the mound, controlled tempo in delivery, throws with regular effort, short takeaway, loose and quick arm speed, hides ball until release, throws high number of strikes, repeats release point, fastball has occasional run, 80-83 mph, breaking ball at 63-65 mph, 12-to-6 action, throws for a strike, gradual action, lean build with loose arm action would suggest increases with continued physical development.
2/24/18 - Connell is an athletically built 6-foot 160-pound right-handed hitting third baseman and right-handed pitcher in Kansas’ 2021 class. He ran a 4.39 home to first and has an 81 mph exit velocity. At the plate, open stance, holds hands high in set up, smooth separation of hands and stride, loose and level bap plane, gap to gap line drives, flashing pull power, has good barrel awareness. On the infield, 80 mph positional velocity, high three quarters, smooth and under control to the ball with fluid exchange, feet create momentum though the catch, mostly accurate throws. On the mound, Connell comes from and over the top arm slot, controlled leg with rotation, smooth acceleration down the mound, tall and fall type delivery, arm works with loose arm action, hits the ball well, fastball was 79-81 mph, has command, breaking ball at 66-68 mph, 12-to-6 shape, throws for a strike and looks to be a good pitch with continued development, downward action, change up at 66-68 mph, slight sinking action, fastball arm speed, athletic build and clean arm action would suggest more to come down the road.