Conner Capel Stats & Scouting Report

AB	8
AVG	.25
OBP	.25
SLG	.25
HR	0

Full name Michael Conner Capel
Born 05/19/1997 in Katy, TX
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 185 / Bats: L / Throws: L
School Seven Lakes
Debut 06/27/2022
Drafted in the 5th round (152nd overall) by the Cleveland Guardians in 2016 (signed for $361,300).

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Capel has drawn mixed reviews both on the showcase circuit and this spring. Evaluators who like him are impressed by his athleticism, bat control, his ability to use the whole field and his potentially above-average hit tool from the left side. Capel puts together competitive at-bats with a solid approach, but his swing has little loft. He hits more ground balls than line drives, significantly limiting his power potential, and he doesn't have exceptional bat speed. Capel is a 60 runner who has a shot to stick in center field and he has an above-average arm. His best role is as a table-setting leadoff hitter. Capel is old for the class--he turns 19 before the draft. He's a Texas signee, but his game draws comparisons to former Texas A&M and current Indians center fielder Tyler Naquin.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Track Record: Capel, whose father Mike pitched three seasons in the majors, was the Indians' fifth-round pick in 2016. He made the Carolina League all-star team as an Indians prospect in the summer of 2018, and a just over a month later the Cardinals acquired him and Jhon Torres for Oscar Mercado.

Scouting Report: Capel intrigues as a center fielder with above-average raw power and above-average speed, although he hasn't made it all click. Capel has worked to clean up his lefthanded swing and cut down on his strikeouts, but overall he's a fringe-average hitter who is neutralized by lefthanders. After hitting 22 home runs and posting a .482 slugging percentage in 2017, Capel slipped to seven home runs with a .376 slugging percentage in 2018 as he moved up a level. It's important Capel finds his power because he projects as a corner outfielder long-term with average defense and an above-average arm.

The Future: Capel is going to have to hit to be a big leaguer, even in a reserve role. He'll try to make the necessary offensive strides at Double-A Springfield in 2019.
Capel was set to follow in the footsteps of his father, former big leaguer Mike Capel, to Texas before the Indians drafted him in the fifth round in 2016 and signed him for slot. He was assigned to low Class A Lake County for his first full professional season and he excelled in the Midwest League, where he ranked third in home runs (22) and fifth in slugging percentage (.482). One of the knocks on Capel before the draft was that his swing didn't produce enough loft to get to his above-average raw power. He has since made some swing adjustments to allow him to tap into his pop without sacrificing his ability to make consistent contact. He did strike out more often in 2017, but he cut his strikeout rate in the second half of the season and his discipline at the plate should help him further cut down his strikeouts as he continues to develop. Capel is an above-average runner, but doesn't have blazing speed. He has an above-average arm and played all three outfield positions in 2017, seeing most of his time in right field. That may be where he profiles best, but he has a chance to end up in center field. Capel earns praise for his makeup and hard-nosed style of play. He will advance to high Class A Lynchburg in 2018.

Draft Prospects

Capel has drawn mixed reviews both on the showcase circuit and this spring. Evaluators who like him are impressed by his athleticism, bat control, his ability to use the whole field and his potentially above-average hit tool from the left side. Capel puts together competitive at-bats with a solid approach, but his swing has little loft. He hits more ground balls than line drives, significantly limiting his power potential, and he doesn't have exceptional bat speed. Capel is a 60 runner who has a shot to stick in center field and he has an above-average arm. His best role is as a table-setting leadoff hitter. Capel is old for the class--he turns 19 before the draft. He's a Texas signee, but his game draws comparisons to former Texas A&M and current Indians center fielder Tyler Naquin.