Brady McConnell

In 2017, McConnell was rated the No. 39 draft prospect out of Merritt Island (Fla.) High due to an elite set of tools, headlined by plus-plus running ability and defensive potential at shortstop. However, his inconsistencies throughout the summer and spring of his senior year allowed teams to pass on him until the Reds drafted him in the 33rd round. He reached campus at Florida, where he struggled (.136/.136/.273) and played in just nine games despite being the highest-ranked position player to make it to campus. In his draft-eligible sophomore season, McConnell has played much closer to what his pedigree and toolset would suggest, leading Florida batters in batting average (.354) and home runs (10) through his first 46 games. He’s added around 10-15 pounds of muscle since arriving to Gainesville and now has plus raw power to go along with his plus running ability and plus arm strength. However, scouts are still puzzled with McConnell, as they question his true hitting ability—he struck out 41 times and walked just 15 times through his first 170 at-bats—and cite the many mechanical tweaks that McConnell makes at the plate. Additionally, some scouts think he’ll be forced to move off of shortstop, as the game speeds up on him at times, and he still lacks the sort of consistency and focus that a shortstop needs to show at the next level. While he does have plus speed, his internal clock seems to be a bit off at the position, and he struggles to get his feet set properly at times. Still, his production in the SEC will leave lasting impression for evaluators, and there is no doubting the impact tools that he brings to the field every day.