• Full name Justin Douglass O'Conner
  • Born 03/31/1992 in Indianapolis, IN
  • Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 201 / Bats: R / Throws: R
  • School Cowan
  • Drafted in the 1st round (31st overall) by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2010 (signed for $1,025,000).
    View Draft Report
    Scouts had been split on whether O'Conner was a better prospect as a power-hitting third baseman or as a pitcher with a 93-95 mph fastball and a hammer curveball. When he began catching at the end of the showcase circuit last summer and played regularly behind the plate this spring, though, it settled any debate about his future. He's now the top high school catching prospect in the 2010 draft. His standout tool is his arm, which grades as plus-plus and is capable of producing 1.8-second pop times. The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder is agile behind the plate, though his inexperience shows in his receiving. O'Conner also generates above-average thunder with his tremendous bat speed, showing power to all fields in batting practice. He homered twice (while pitching a one-hitter) in a state Class A sectional championship game, tying the Indiana career home run record with 51. A righthanded hitter, he's pull-conscious in games and struggled at times against quality pitching last summer, so there's some question whether he'll hit for a high average. Even if he doesn't, his arm and power could make him an all-star catcher. And if he can't make it as a position player, he has an attractive fallback option as a pitcher. The Arkansas recruit is unlikely to make it past the first round.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Minor League Top Prospects

Best Tools List

  • Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Florida State League in 2014
  • Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Tampa Bay Rays in 2014

Career Transactions

  • Charleston Dirty Birds activated RHP Justin O'Conner from the temporarily inactive list.
  • Charleston Dirty Birds placed RHP Justin O'Conner on the temporarily inactive list.
  • Charleston Dirty Birds signed free agent RHP Justin O'Conner.
  • Staten Island Ferry Hawks released RHP Justin O'Conner.

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