Scouting Report

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 50 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 45 | Overall: 40

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 45 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 40

Essenburg faced possible first-round left-hander Jack Bauer in April in one of the most highly anticipated high school matchups of the spring, and he didn't disappoint. Essenburg drilled an opposite-field homer off a 99-mph Bauer fastball and outpitched him as well, striking out 11 and permitting just an unearned run in five innings. He may have a brighter future on the mound, but he likes to hit, and it may be difficult to sign him away from an opportunity to play both ways at Kentucky.

Essenburg mainly operates with two pitches, starting with a low-90s fastball that touches 95 mph with promising carry and armside run at its best. His mid-70s breaking ball features plenty of vertical and horizontal action and could become a weapon with more power. He'll occasionally flash a changeup that sits around 80 mph with fade. He's more physical than projectable at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds and his delivery and control need more polish, but he also has the potential to improve significantly on the mound if he concentrates on pitching full time.

Some scouts prefer Essenburg as a hitter, though his bats-right/throws-left profile isn't desirable. His aggressive swing, bat speed and strength give him 20-homer upside. He fits in right field with his fringy to average speed and obviously strong arm, though he could wind up at first base if he slows down.

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 45 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45

The Braves finessed their bonus pool in 2025 to bring in two high-end high school players with well-over-slot bonuses. The first was lefty Briggs McKenzie, who got $3 million in the fourth round. In the fifth, they nabbed Essenberg, a talented two-way player from the Illinois prep ranks, for $1.2 million. There were those who liked Essenberg's left arm better on the mound, but the Braves liked the upside with the bat enough to go nearly three times over slot to sign him from his Kentucky commitment.

Essenburg's bats-right/throws-left profile is unusual, and not something teams typically love. But they do like his combination of bat speed and strength. He's an aggressive swinger with 20-homer upside, and while there was some question about his pure hit tool, the Braves were pleased with his contact rates in the Bridge League last fall. There could be plenty of offensive projection to come simply by focusing on hitting full-time.

A fringy runner, Essenburg's arm and power potential could profile very well in right field, though he could eventually end up at first base if he slows down too much. There's always the fallback of a lefty with a low-90s fastball and mid-70s breaking ball on the mound, but the Braves think he has the chance to pop as a prospect with a full season of worrying only about at-bats.

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 45 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45

Essenburg faced possible first-round left-hander Jack Bauer in April in one of the most highly anticipated high school matchups of the spring, and he didn't disappoint. Essenburg drilled an opposite-field homer off a 99 mph Bauer fastball and outpitched him as well, striking out 11 and permitting just an unearned run in five innings. There are those who thought he had a brighter future on the mound -- though he likes to hit -- and it seemed like it might be difficult to sign him away from a chance to play both ways at Kentucky. The Braves found a way, giving him $1.2 million in the fifth round and announcing him as an outfielder. 

While Essenburg offers some offensive upside, his bats-right/throws-left profile isn't something teams tend to love. But his aggressive swing, bat speed and strength give him 20-homer upside. He fits in right field with fringy-to-average speed and the arm strength that made him a legitimate pitching prospect is clearly an asset. He's more physical than projectable at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds.

If he slows down, Essenburg could end up at first base, but it's also unclear what might be unlocked when he starts focusing on hitting only. There's always the backup plan of having a low-90s fastball and mid-70s breaker, but this isn't the first time the Braves have gone a little bit against the grain and let someone hit when some of the industry preferred a Draft prospect on the mound, and Austin Riley and Michael Harris II have worked out pretty well. 

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	03/05/2026	OF Conor Essenburg assigned to Atlanta Braves Prospects.
	08/04/2025	FCL Braves activated OF Conor Essenburg.
	07/31/2025	OF Conor Essenburg assigned to FCL Braves.
	07/15/2025	Atlanta Braves signed OF Conor Essenburg.
	05/26/2025	College Workout activated LHP Conor Essenburg.
	07/28/2024	LHP Conor Essenburg assigned to High School Workout.
	06/30/2024	High School Workout activated LHP Conor Essenburg.