Minor Leagues Beat Writer
Chicago Sports Online
The Grand Junction Gold Sox have awarded their Pitcher of the Year award to Kerry Conner, a 22-year-old left-handed groundballer who put together a nice season to lead the team in several key pitching categories.
Kerry Conner
Although he started for Grand Junction last season, mostly to get him plenty of innings, Chicago ultimately projects him as a bullpen arm. Scouts peg his current potential as 35/50, and say he “projects to provide consistently reliable middle relief” in the big leagues.
“Relieving, starting … I don’t care, just so long as I’m pitching,” Conner said as he picked up his award last week.
The Sox did not send him to the Florida Prospect League this year, preferring to let Conner’s arm rest over the fall and winter. He figures to pitch for AA Beloit next year as he works his way through the Black Sox system.
“We have no doubt that Mr. Conner will be putting on the Chicago pinstripes one day soon,” said Black Sox GM Bennie Vitale. “We liked his talent coming out of the draft, and we only continue to be impressed by his performance.”