| AB | 364 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .228 |
| OBP | .32 |
| SLG | .368 |
| HR | 9 |
- Full name Connor Kok-Wy Joe
- Born 08/16/1992 in San Diego, CA
- Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School San Diego
- Debut 03/28/2019
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Drafted in the CB-A round (39th overall) by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2014 (signed for $1,250,000).
View Draft Report
Joe's calling card is his flat, line-drive stroke, which makes him a doubles machine (he ranked fifth in Division I with 21 doubles through 12 weeks). He has a patient, all-fields approach and has walked more than he's struck out in each of his last two seasons. Joe projects as a solid-average to above-average hitter with a chance for average righthanded power in his compact 6-foot, 205-pound frame. His bat won't be special if he winds up at first base (where he has spent most of his college career), but he could provide serious value if he can stick behind the plate. Joe started catching last summer in the Cape Cod League, where he caught in the all-star game, and he has split time between catcher, first base and the outfield this spring. He's learning the nuances of catching, from receiving to blocking to his footwork and transfer, and he needs plenty of refinement. But he has at least an average arm and a quick release. He was a middle infielder in high school, and he has good enough hands and agility to have a chance behind the plate.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Track Record: The Pirates drafted Joe 39th overall in 2014 and signed him for $1.25 million, but injuries and constant position changes kept him from getting settled. The Pirates traded him to the Braves in August 2017, and Atlanta flipped him to the Dodgers a month later for international bonus money.
Scouting Report: Joe had an open stance in college at San Diego but was told to shelve it by the Pirates. He re-opened his stance with the Dodgers and found himself in a more athletic position to hit, resulting in consistently better swings and harder contact. With advanced strike zone discipline, Joe's re-tooled setup allowed him to realize his initial projection of a solid-average hitter with average power. Joe is an average defender at first base and below-average at third base. During instructional league the Dodgers mixed him in at catcher, a position he briefly played in college.
The Future: Joe may be the Dodgers' next late-career success story brought about by a swing change, although that success may come in Cincinnati. As a Rule 5 pick, he'll battle for a spot on the Reds' bench. -
The Pirates were criticized in some circles for selecting Joe in the supplemental first round of the 2014 draft, especially when they announced him as an outfielder rather than a catcher. Many analysts had Joe, who played first base at San Diego but caught in the Cape Cod League, going in the third round. Pittsburgh signed him for $1.25 million which was more than $200,000 under the recommended slot bonus. There are no early returns with which to judge the Pirates' decision, because Joe missed the entire short-season Jamestown slate with a back injury. His bat may be enough to handle the move to the outfield, for he projects to have potentially average power and projects as an above-average hitter. He hits the ball hard from gap to gap and has outstanding plate discipline. He is also very athletic and is an above-average runner. Joe likely will begin the 2015 season at low Class A West Virginia, and the Pirates are considering giving him some playing time behind the plate and at first base to see exactly what they have.
Draft Prospects
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Joe's calling card is his flat, line-drive stroke, which makes him a doubles machine (he ranked fifth in Division I with 21 doubles through 12 weeks). He has a patient, all-fields approach and has walked more than he's struck out in each of his last two seasons. Joe projects as a solid-average to above-average hitter with a chance for average righthanded power in his compact 6-foot, 205-pound frame. His bat won't be special if he winds up at first base (where he has spent most of his college career), but he could provide serious value if he can stick behind the plate. Joe started catching last summer in the Cape Cod League, where he caught in the all-star game, and he has split time between catcher, first base and the outfield this spring. He's learning the nuances of catching, from receiving to blocking to his footwork and transfer, and he needs plenty of refinement. But he has at least an average arm and a quick release. He was a middle infielder in high school, and he has good enough hands and agility to have a chance behind the plate.
Scouting Reports
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The Pirates were criticized in some circles for selecting Joe in the supplemental first round of the 2014 draft, especially when they announced him as an outfielder rather than a catcher. Many analysts had Joe, who played first base at San Diego but caught in the Cape Cod League, going in the third round. Pittsburgh signed him for $1.25 million which was more than $200,000 under the recommended slot bonus. There are no early returns with which to judge the Pirates' decision, because Joe missed the entire short-season Jamestown slate with a back injury. His bat may be enough to handle the move to the outfield, for he projects to have potentially average power and projects as an above-average hitter. He hits the ball hard from gap to gap and has outstanding plate discipline. He is also very athletic and is an above-average runner. Joe likely will begin the 2015 season at low Class A West Virginia, and the Pirates are considering giving him some playing time behind the plate and at first base to see exactly what they have.
