Rogersville infielder Seth Conner
When I called Rogersville infielder Seth Conner to see if any movement had been made on the professional baseball front, why he didn’t answer the phone told all you needed to know.
“I was registering for classes at Missouri State,” Conner said.
Conner’s registration doesn’t slam the door shut on hopes that the Toronto Blue Jays will entice Conner with a signing bonus much more impressive than his 41st round draft pick suggests. But the Missouri State recruit did say that while he has been talking to Blue Jays officials, no official offer has been made. MLB Teams have until August 16 to sign drafted players who haven’t exhausted eligibility.
The trip to MSU registration was simply covering his options. Conner has publicly said he wants to get his professional career starter, but he’s not going to give away his future for pennies on the dollar, either. Generally, 41st round picks either don’t sign or are college seniors that take whatever they are due and make the best of it. Conner hasn’t made public what his financial preference is.
After starting the summer on the infield, the Blue Jays contacted Conner and Midwest Nationals coach Randy Merryman to see what Conner looked like behind the plate. After a shaky start, Conner said a summer of working with former MLBer and current Nationals coach Charlie O’Brien helped, and hopefully increases his value.
“Everyone keeps telling me my bat will play, it’s just a matter of where it fits in,” Conner said.
While he played shortstop in high school and looks to be headed to the corner infield and outfield, Conner also said that MSU coach Keith Guttin has seen him catch and he could get some opportunity behind the plate, if he ends up at Missouri State.
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