Connor Cannon, DH
DOB: May 16, 1998
BATS: R  /  THROWS: R
ACQUIRED: Drafted 17th Round (#506), 2019
LAST LEVEL: Rookie
VOLATILITY: Very High

Lev
G
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
SB
CS
BB
SO
BA
OBP
SLG
OPS
2019
UC Riverside
NCAA
51
188
37
60
10
0
18
44
2
0
27
51
.319
.426
.660
1.086
2019
2 Teams
Rk-A-
37
139
32
45
7
1
13
39
0
0
11
38
.324
.394
.669
1.063
2019
Salem-Keizer
A-
2
7
0
2
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
.286
.286
.286
.571
2019
Giants Orange
Rk
35
132
32
43
7
1
13
38
0
0
11
37
.326
.399
.689
1.088
Minors (1 season)
Minors
37
139
32
45
7
1
13
39
0
0
11
38
.324
.394
.669
1.063

See Full Stats Here

GiantFutures Ranks: #1 Designated Hitter

Performance: Cannon completed his main objective in his first season in the pros, staying on the field healthy and getting into 37 total games, and the bonus was that he was dominant in the Arizona League, as you’d want from a college player.  Cannon hit 13 home runs, on top of seven doubles and a triple.  He also hit for average (.326) and got on base (.399) at excellent rates for a slugger.  Cannon was in Instructs for 2020.

In college, Cannon was a home run legend in UC Riverside when he was healthy, and set team records for home runs both for a single-season (16) and career (34).

Strengths and Weaknesses: 80.  Grade.  Power.  That’s the headline for Connor Cannon, and he can put it up in games.  There is absolutely no doubt about Cannon’s most important skill is, and it is overwhelming.  But his bat is solid all around, and he can hit for batting average and pull out a fair amount of walks, and for a slugger, he can keep the strikeouts under control.

His weakness is his knees, and back, and possibly other body parts.  By the time he was 21, he’d already had knee surgery on both knees, and would struggle with other pains in his legs and back.  That is the biggest concern, that he can stay healthy so that he can continue to play.  That does also keep him relatively limited at first base defensively.

2021 Outlook: Cannon is ready for A-Ball, for sure.  He’s likely headed for High-A, as he is a bit of an older prospect.  The focus will remain about staying healthy, and seeing if his bat will continue to be as all-around effective as he facing stronger competition.

Future Profile: If there’s ever been a DH prospect, Cannon is it.  And his 80-grade power would be a lot of fun to watch as a Major Leaguer.  If, as many expect, the designated hitter rule comes to the National League in the future, they may have the perfect candidate for it.