Connor Wong

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Boston Red Sox #20 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/Medium
  
  Track Record: Wong spent three seasons in the Dodgers system as a catcher with the athleticism to move around the infield, but after heading to theRed Sox as the third player in the Mookie Betts deal, he has stayed almost exclusively behind the plate. Wong has developed a solid reputation inside the organization for his work with pitchers. His offense took a step forward in 2022 with a more selective, contact-oriented approach with Triple-A Worcester, though he scuffled in 27 big league games.
  
  Scouting Report: After struggling to control his strikeout rate in past years, Wong committed to a flat bat path with minimal pre-swing movement in 2022. That led to fewer swings-and-misses and more walks, but also a preponderance of liners and groundballs while rarely tapping into his wiry strength. Still, he has a chance to get on base enough to be a serviceable bottom-of-the-order hitter who runs extremely well for a catcher with average speed. Pitchers gave him solid reviews for his game-calling and his framing numbers in both Triple-A and the big leagues were solid. Wong has a plus arm and averaged 1.92 seconds on his pop times in the big leagues, though runners were successful on 15 of 18 stolen base attempts.
  
  The Future: Wong should have a decent run as a big league backup catcher, a role that may be his starting in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 40. Speed: 55. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.
• 
  Ranked Boston Red Sox #29 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: The Red Sox acquired Wong from the Dodgers in the Mookie Betts trade, believing he had both growth potential behind the plate as well as the athleticism to move around the field in a reserve role. He stayed behind the plate all year and made his big league debut.
  
  Scouting Report: Wong has wiry strength that helped contribute to solid power totals in the Dodgers system, but against Triple-A competition, pitchers exploited his pull-heavy approach by pitching away and getting weaker contact. He showed the ability to diversify his swing and line the ball to the opposite field in his big league cameo, giving hope that he could develop into a fringy hitter, though perhaps without much power. Wong is a terrific athlete who has emerged as a capable presence behind the plate. He’s refined his receiving to the point of being at least average behind the plate, and while he has just average arm strength, his quick feet and transfer allow him to do a decent job of controlling the running game.
  
  The Future: Wong’s defense has developed to the point where he should have a future as a backup catcher—with the potential to add to his profile by moving around the infield.
  
• 
  Ranked Boston Red Sox #17 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: Wong started college as a shortstop but broadened his resume as a sophomore, when he spent time behind the plate for Houston and moved around the infield and outfield. His versatility, power, and athleticism—he had 12 homers and 26 steals as a junior—led the Dodgers to draft him in the third round in 2017. His defensive versatility and power potential made him attractive to the Red Sox, who acquired him as the third player in the deal that sent Mookie Betts and David Price to the Dodgers.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Wong is deceivingly wiry, a physically unimposing presence who nonetheless has the athleticism and strength to make an impact in a number of areas. He typically sells out on his swing, resulting in a pull-heavy approach that emphasizes launch but renders him vulnerable to offspeed pitches and has yielded a strikeout rate of nearly 31%. Still, his hard contact has translated to both power and high batting averages on balls in play over three minor league seasons. Wong is still developing his technical skills behind the plate, but he's considered a solid receiver with the intelligence and body control to handle the position and the athleticism to play other infield spots.
  
  THE FUTURE: Wong's swing-and-miss issues likely cap his ceiling as a reserve, but his versatility could make him more valuable than the typical backup catcher. He'll likely open 2021 in Triple-A as a depth option.
• 
  Ranked Boston Red Sox #15 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Wong saw time at shortstop, third base and the outfield in college before becoming Houston's primary catcher as a sophomore. The Dodgers, with their affinity for infielders-turned-catchers, drafted Wong in the third round in 2017 and signed him for $547,500. Wong led high Class A Rancho Cucamonga to the California League championship in his first full season, but was sent back to the level due to the Dodgers organizational catching logjam. He struggled to stay motivated but exploded after a July promotion to Double-A Tulsa with a .997 OPS in 40 games.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Wong's slight build is deceptive. He's twitchy in the box and can drive the ball, and when he stays in the middle of the field he's an advanced hitter with average power. Wong is an aggressive hitter who jumps on fastballs and drives them gap-to-gap, but he has career 31 percent strikeout rate and projects as a fringe-average hitter because he struggles against soft stuff. Wong is an athletic defender behind the plate who receives well and has an average arm, although his blocking needs work. He has played above-average defense in stints at second and third base, as well.
  
  THE FUTURE: Wong could stick as a backup catcher, but he projects to be most valuable moving around the diamond and playing 2-3 positions a week. He'll see Triple-A in 2020.
• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #16 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: Wong is the latest of the infielders-turned-catchers the Dodgers love, following Kyle Farmer, Austin Barnes and Will Smith. Wong played shortstop his freshman year at Houston before moving to catcher and hit at both spots, leading the Dodgers to draft him in the third round in 2017. Wong made a strong impression in his first full season, finishing in the top 10 in the California League in home runs (19) and OPS (.831) while providing a steady presence behind the plate to lead high Class A Rancho Cucamonga to the league championship.
  
  Scouting Report: Wong is slight physically but makes up for it with his athleticism and preparation. He is a studious observer who absorbs copious amounts of data on hitters to help his pitchers. On the field, Wong is an above-average athlete who receives and throws well with an average arm. His lack of experience catching shows in blocking sometimes, particularly to his right. As a hitter, Wong is aggressive and jumps on first-pitch fastballs, but he struggled after pitchers adjusted and started him with breaking balls, resulting in a 32 percent strikeout rate. He has the average power to drive home runs out to left field when he connects.
  
  The Future: Wong's athleticism and intangibles have evaluators liking him as a potential backup catcher. He'll try to show he's more at Double-A Tulsa in 2019.
• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #18 prospect in 2018
  Wong started at shortstop as a freshman at Houston but moved to catcher for his sophomore season. His progression in two years behind the plate and a solid junior season that included 12 homers and 26 stolen bases convinced the Dodgers to draft him in the third round and sign him for $547,500. Wong immediately went out to low Class A Great Lakes and took over as the Loons' starting catcher. Wong is in the same vein as organization-mates Austin Barnes and Will Smith as plus athletes capable of catching or playing the middle infield. He is a plus runner with above-average-to-plus arm strength and the athleticism to become an above-average receiver, although he needs work to get there due of his lack of experience. He can fill in at shortstop, third base, or even the outfield as needed. Wong has sneaky power and good plate discipline, but his lack of noticeable bat speed limits his overall offensive potential. The Dodgers believe Wong can become a plus defensive catcher as he gets more reps behind the plate, with enough bat to play everyday. He'll head to high Class A Rancho Cucamonga in 2018.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #77 prospect in 2017 draft
  Wong caught some in high school but came to Houston as a shortstop and started at the position as a freshman. He moved back behind the plate as a sophomore to help the Cougars fill a hole and has grown into the position. Wong has worked hard to become a capable catcher, especially focusing on blocking. But he has also continued to play other positions, including shortstop, third base and the outfield, giving him defensive versatility reminiscent of Rockies catcher/infielder Tony Wolters. He has an above-average arm but is still learning how to control the running game. While Wong has grown defensively, he has also continued to develop offensively. The righthanded hitter has shown both power and speed this spring, and had 10 home runs and 20 stolen bases in mid-May. Wong's wide-ranging tool set makes him tough to profile, but makes for an intriguing, versatile package.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/Medium
  
  Track Record: Wong spent three seasons in the Dodgers system as a catcher with the athleticism to move around the infield, but after heading to theRed Sox as the third player in the Mookie Betts deal, he has stayed almost exclusively behind the plate. Wong has developed a solid reputation inside the organization for his work with pitchers. His offense took a step forward in 2022 with a more selective, contact-oriented approach with Triple-A Worcester, though he scuffled in 27 big league games.
  
  Scouting Report: After struggling to control his strikeout rate in past years, Wong committed to a flat bat path with minimal pre-swing movement in 2022. That led to fewer swings-and-misses and more walks, but also a preponderance of liners and groundballs while rarely tapping into his wiry strength. Still, he has a chance to get on base enough to be a serviceable bottom-of-the-order hitter who runs extremely well for a catcher with average speed. Pitchers gave him solid reviews for his game-calling and his framing numbers in both Triple-A and the big leagues were solid. Wong has a plus arm and averaged 1.92 seconds on his pop times in the big leagues, though runners were successful on 15 of 18 stolen base attempts.
  
  The Future: Wong should have a decent run as a big league backup catcher, a role that may be his starting in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 40. Speed: 55. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/Medium
  
  Track Record: Wong spent three seasons in the Dodgers system as a catcher with the athleticism to move around the infield, but after heading to theRed Sox as the third player in the Mookie Betts deal, he has stayed almost exclusively behind the plate. Wong has developed a solid reputation inside the organization for his work with pitchers. His offense took a step forward in 2022 with a more selective, contact-oriented approach with Triple-A Worcester, though he scuffled in 27 big league games.
  
  Scouting Report: After struggling to control his strikeout rate in past years, Wong committed to a flat bat path with minimal pre-swing movement in 2022. That led to fewer swings-and-misses and more walks, but also a preponderance of liners and groundballs while rarely tapping into his wiry strength. Still, he has a chance to get on base enough to be a serviceable bottom-of-the-order hitter who runs extremely well for a catcher with average speed. Pitchers gave him solid reviews for his game-calling and his framing numbers in both Triple-A and the big leagues were solid. Wong has a plus arm and averaged 1.92 seconds on his pop times in the big leagues, though runners were successful on 15 of 18 stolen base attempts.
  
  The Future: Wong should have a decent run as a big league backup catcher, a role that may be his starting in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 40. Speed: 55. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: The Red Sox acquired Wong from the Dodgers in the Mookie Betts trade, believing he had both growth potential behind the plate as well as the athleticism to move around the field in a reserve role. He stayed behind the plate all year and made his big league debut.
  
  Scouting Report: Wong has wiry strength that helped contribute to solid power totals in the Dodgers system, but against Triple-A competition, pitchers exploited his pull-heavy approach by pitching away and getting weaker contact. He showed the ability to diversify his swing and line the ball to the opposite field in his big league cameo, giving hope that he could develop into a fringy hitter, though perhaps without much power. Wong is a terrific athlete who has emerged as a capable presence behind the plate. He’s refined his receiving to the point of being at least average behind the plate, and while he has just average arm strength, his quick feet and transfer allow him to do a decent job of controlling the running game.
  
  The Future: Wong’s defense has developed to the point where he should have a future as a backup catcher—with the potential to add to his profile by moving around the infield.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Wong started college as a shortstop but broadened his resume as a sophomore, when he spent time behind the plate for Houston and moved around the infield and outfield. His versatility, power, and athleticism—he had 12 homers and 26 steals as a junior—led the Dodgers to draft him in the third round in 2017. His defensive versatility and power potential made him attractive to the Red Sox, who acquired him as the third player in the deal that sent Mookie Betts and David Price to the Dodgers.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Wong is deceivingly wiry, a physically unimposing presence who nonetheless has the athleticism and strength to make an impact in a number of areas. He typically sells out on his swing, resulting in a pull-heavy approach that emphasizes launch but renders him vulnerable to offspeed pitches and has yielded a strikeout rate of nearly 31%. Still, his hard contact has translated to both power and high batting averages on balls in play over three minor league seasons. Wong is still developing his technical skills behind the plate, but he's considered a solid receiver with the intelligence and body control to handle the position and the athleticism to play other infield spots.
  
  THE FUTURE: Wong's swing-and-miss issues likely cap his ceiling as a reserve, but his versatility could make him more valuable than the typical backup catcher. He'll likely open 2021 in Triple-A as a depth option.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Wong started college as a shortstop but broadened his resume as a sophomore, when he spent time behind the plate for Houston and moved around the infield and outfield. His versatility, power, and athleticism—he had 12 homers and 26 steals as a junior—led the Dodgers to draft him in the third round in 2017. His defensive versatility and power potential made him attractive to the Red Sox, who acquired him as the third player in the deal that sent Mookie Betts and David Price to the Dodgers.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Wong is deceivingly wiry, a physically unimposing presence who nonetheless has the athleticism and strength to make an impact in a number of areas. He typically sells out on his swing, resulting in a pull-heavy approach that emphasizes launch but renders him vulnerable to offspeed pitches and has yielded a strikeout rate of nearly 31%. Still, his hard contact has translated to both power and high batting averages on balls in play over three minor league seasons. Wong is still developing his technical skills behind the plate, but he's considered a solid receiver with the intelligence and body control to handle the position and the athleticism to play other infield spots.
  
  THE FUTURE: Wong's swing-and-miss issues likely cap his ceiling as a reserve, but his versatility could make him more valuable than the typical backup catcher. He'll likely open 2021 in Triple-A as a depth option.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Wong started college as a shortstop but broadened his resume as a sophomore, when he spent time behind the plate for Houston and moved around the infield and outfield. His versatility, power, and athleticism—he had 12 homers and 26 steals as a junior—led the Dodgers to draft him in the third round in 2017. His defensive versatility and power potential made him attractive to the Red Sox, who acquired him as the third player in the deal that sent Mookie Betts and David Price to the Dodgers.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Wong is deceivingly wiry, a physically unimposing presence who nonetheless has the athleticism and strength to make an impact in a number of areas. He typically sells out on his swing, resulting in a pull-heavy approach that emphasizes launch but renders him vulnerable to offspeed pitches and has yielded a strikeout rate of nearly 31%. Still, his hard contact has translated to both power and high batting averages on balls in play over three minor league seasons. Wong is still developing his technical skills behind the plate, but he's considered a solid receiver with the intelligence and body control to handle the position and the athleticism to play other infield spots.
  
  THE FUTURE: Wong's swing-and-miss issues likely cap his ceiling as a reserve, but his versatility could make him more valuable than the typical backup catcher. He'll likely open 2021 in Triple-A as a depth option.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Wong saw time at shortstop, third base and the outfield in college before becoming Houston’s primary catcher as a sophomore. The Dodgers, with their affinity for infielders-turned-catchers, drafted Wong in the third round in 2017 and signed him for $547,500. Wong led high Class A Rancho Cucamonga to the California League championship in his first full season, but was sent back to the level due to the Dodgers organizational catching logjam. He struggled to stay motivated but exploded after a July promotion to Double-A Tulsa with a .997 OPS in 40 games.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Wong’s slight build is deceptive. He’s twitchy in the box and can drive the ball, and when he stays in the middle of the field he’s an advanced hitter with average power. Wong is an aggressive hitter who jumps on fastballs and drives them gap-to-gap, but he has career 31 percent strikeout rate and projects as a fringe-average hitter because he struggles against soft stuff. Wong is an athletic defender behind the plate who receives well and has an average arm, although his blocking needs work. He has played above-average defense in stints at second and third base, as well.
  
  THE FUTURE: Wong could stick as a backup catcher, but he projects to be most valuable moving around the diamond and playing 2-3 positions a week. He’ll see Triple-A in 2020.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Wong saw time at shortstop, third base and the outfield in college before becoming Houston's primary catcher as a sophomore. The Dodgers, with their affinity for infielders-turned-catchers, drafted Wong in the third round in 2017 and signed him for $547,500. Wong led high Class A Rancho Cucamonga to the California League championship in his first full season, but was sent back to the level due to the Dodgers organizational catching logjam. He struggled to stay motivated but exploded after a July promotion to Double-A Tulsa with a .997 OPS in 40 games.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Wong's slight build is deceptive. He's twitchy in the box and can drive the ball, and when he stays in the middle of the field he's an advanced hitter with average power. Wong is an aggressive hitter who jumps on fastballs and drives them gap-to-gap, but he has career 31 percent strikeout rate and projects as a fringe-average hitter because he struggles against soft stuff. Wong is an athletic defender behind the plate who receives well and has an average arm, although his blocking needs work. He has played above-average defense in stints at second and third base, as well.
  
  THE FUTURE: Wong could stick as a backup catcher, but he projects to be most valuable moving around the diamond and playing 2-3 positions a week. He'll see Triple-A in 2020.