Connor Cannon

Cannon’s home runs became the stuff of legend at UC Riverside this spring, with scouts trading stories about how far they’d seen him hit a baseball and comparing him to Mark Trumbo. By the end of April, he had set the school’s single-season (16) and career home run records (34). Cannon is a chiseled, imposing figure at 6-foot-5, 240 pounds with 80-grade power he’s able to reach in games. He generates huge loft when he connects, resulting in towering home runs that clear 450 feet and demoralize opposing pitchers. Cannon has steadily improved his plate discipline and doesn’t strike out much for a power hitter, and he runs the bases surprisingly well with a good stride. He has also touched 95 mph on the mound. The concern with Cannon is that he’s already a designated hitter who has had surgery on both knees as well as back and shoulder problems. His injury report is “scary” in one evaluator’s words. Cannon’s makeup is regarded as among the best in the draft class, so there is a belief he’ll overcome whatever ails him. His father, Scott, was a minor league pitcher in the Angels’ system from 1983-86.