Monday, September 28

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CINCINNATI -- With so much high-profile movement within the Athletics’ Minor League system this week, such as Drew Burress kicking off his pro career and Breyson Guedez getting moved up to High-A Lansing, you might have missed what’s been going on with Cole Conn.

Conn, who was promoted to Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday, might be an unfamiliar name to most, and that’s understandable given that he currently ranks outside the A’s Top 30 Prospects list. That is about to change, as the 25-year-old catcher is poised to crack that list in an upcoming re-rank by MLB Pipeline.

Somewhat unheralded at the time he entered the organization in 2023 as a 12th-round Draft pick out of the University of Illinois-Chicago, Conn has flown under the radar with modest production at each level. His production has taken a sizable step forward this season, earning a move to Triple-A after slashing .281/.400/.438 with seven home runs, 15 doubles and 37 RBIs in 70 games for Double-A Midland.

“He’s really put himself on the map,” said A’s director of player development Ed Sprague Jr. “His catching and throwing has really improved, and he’s starting to get a better understanding of who he is as a hitter. I think he’s more of a gap guy, but he’s starting to come into a little bit of power.”

That power immediately showed up in his first game with Triple-A Las Vegas, as Conn slugged a go-ahead solo shot to deep right-center on Tuesday night.

Listed at 5-foot-10, 185 pounds, Conn brings some athleticism that could lend to some versatility, which the A’s have tested out by having him play a handful of games in the outfield, including three as a center fielder this year with Midland. There’s also a speed element to Conn’s game, as he entered Thursday with 23 stolen bases in 26 attempts.

“He’s athletic,” Sprague said. “He’s kind of an undersized, athletic catcher that has kind of worked his way into the position to be a top prospect.”

One skill that has boosted Conn’s opportunities throughout his career is his ability to hit from both sides of the plate as a switch-hitter. It’s something he learned to do at an early age and keeps sharp by regularly working at it. He generates most of his power from the left side, batting .293 with an .855 OPS and six homers as a lefty this season, though he’s also holding his own from the right side with an .822 OPS.

Switch-hitting catchers, such as current A’s catcher Jonah Heim, are somewhat rare at the Major League level, which should only help Conn upon his arrival.

“It’s certainly hard to be a switch-hitter in general, and then you add the catching aspect into it,” Sprague said. “In today’s age with all the matchups and stuff like that, you get a chance to get up [to the big leagues] and you’re sitting behind a frontline guy, it gives options for the manager to not have to worry so much about matchups down the road of a series when you’re looking to get those guys into games.”

There have only been two players out of UIC to reach the Majors -- former All-Star Curtis Granderson and outfielder Mickey McDonald, who got a cup of coffee in the big leagues with the A’s in 2022.

Conn could make that three UIC big leaguers, perhaps sooner rather than later, as the A’s catching situation is a work in progress with All-Star Shea Langeliers likely out for the rest of the season. It hasn’t been a fast rise through the system like other prospects such as Nick Kurtz, Jacob Wilson and Gage Jump, but Conn has finally ascended to the cusp, now just one phone call away in Vegas.

“He’s probably more of the norm than not,” Sprague said. “We see a lot of players move quicker in today’s world. The catching aspect is really hard nowadays with all the information that you’re getting in learning that craft and learning the pitchers, and learning how to dissect the information to attack the other team.

“There’s a lot to being a catcher, whether you’re coming out of high school or college, just to learn how to call the game. Most of these guys now have never really called their own game, so learning that aspect of it takes time in the Minor Leagues. He’s continued to get better and better.”

"He’s got the potential to be a back-end guy. Obviously, the velocity is key. But strikes are also key. For him, I think the success lies in being able to get it into the zone. It’s big stuff. He’s still young. He’s still learning. … We’ll give him those opportunities to get in there and take advantage of it.” -- A’s manager Mark Kotsay, on right-hander Seth Johnson, who was acquired from the Phillies in a deal for outfielder Colby Thomas at the Trade Deadline

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