3/23/25

2025 MLB Draft Prospect - #66 - LHP - Connor Ware - LSU

 

On 12-5-24, MLB.com posted their top 100 prospects in the upcoming draft. Beginning 2-2-25, we will post it in backward order, ending with the pick for 1.1

https://www.mlb.com/prospects/2025/draft/  - 

#66       Conner Ware      LHP, Lou
isiana State

21/years old        6' 4"      205

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 50

Ware intrigued scouts for two seasons at Pearl River (Miss.) CC, but he pitched just 32 innings, missing time in 2023 with back issues and last spring with a tired arm. He went undrafted both years, transferred to Louisiana State and claimed a spot in the weekend rotation with a strong fall. His older brother Bryson set an Auburn record with 24 homers in 2023 before signing with the Phillies as an eighth-rounder.

Ware's best pitch is an upper-70s downer curveball that topped 3,000 rpm at the 2024 Draft Combine, though it breaks so much that he can struggle to land it in the strike zone. He sets it up with a 92-94 mph fastball that touches 96 with impressive carry. He displays some feel for a fading low-80s changeup as well but hasn't shown much trust in it.

At 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, Ware is strong and also still has some projection remaining. He does a good job of hiding the ball in his delivery and threw strikes at Pearl River, though he'll need to prove that he has the command to handle Southeastern Conference hitters. If he does that and stays healthy, he could fit in the top two rounds.

 

https://www.prccathletics.com/sports/bsb/2023-24/bios/ware_conner_csq5 -

SIGNED WITH LSU

2024: Battled an injury in the early part of the season but came back strong in conference play ... Ended the year with a 1.80 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 15 innings pitched ... Struck out 21 batters against seven walks.

2023: Was off to a great start on the mound for the Wildcats before an injury ... Pitched 17 innings and had a 3-0 record ... Had a 1.59 ERA ... Struck out 28 batters and walked only three ... Registered 16 at-bats, hitting one homer and driving in two runs.

HIGH SCHOOL: Played at Germantown for Brian Hardy ... Batted .327 in 75 at-bats his senior year ... Had a 3.21 ERA with 42 strikeouts in eight appearances his senior year.

 

https://lsutigerswire.usatoday.com/2023/09/20/lsu-baseball-conner-ware-juco-pitching-transfer/ -

The defending national champions have landed another pitcher in the transfer portal. Jay Johnson has secured a commitment from 6-foot-4, 185-pound left-handed pitcher Conner Ware from Pearl River Community College in Poplarville, Mississippi.

Ware is a kid who has baseball in his blood. His brother, Bryson Ware, was a senior at Auburn last year. Conner made six appearances in the 2023 season for the Pearl River Wildcats, making six starts and finishing the year with a 1.59 ERA. He pitched 17 innings and struck out 28 hitters while only walking three. That’s a stat that you can live with.

LSU suffered from a lot of pitching injuries last season so it is nice to know there is another high-quality arm in the bullpen. For all I know, Johnson could turn this kid into a starter. He was 3-0 in games he started and the furthest he went was six innings. Ware will be a name to keep an eye on next spring.

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