Conner O’Neil assumes the role of Director of Pitching Development for the upcoming 2024 season, bringing with him a remarkable journey from humble beginnings to a distinguished career in baseball.
Post-high school, Conner's path to success was anything but conventional. Facing the absence of scholarship offers from four-year institutions, he forged his own destiny by walking on at Central Arizona College. After a standout season, his talent garnered recognition, earning him a scholarship to Cal State Northridge.
During his three-year tenure at CSUN, Conner left an indelible mark on the program. Setting records as the single-season and all-time saves leader (29), boasting the sixth lowest career ERA in school history, and achieving the lowest career ERA in the school's Division 1 era (2.53), Conner's impact extended to the fifth most games pitched in school history (78). His accolades include multiple All-Conference honors, 2016 pre-season All-American recognition (NCWBA), and consistent appearances on the Stopper of the Year watch list (NCWBA). The Detroit Tigers drafted him in the 32nd round of the 2016 MLB Draft, but Conner opted to return for his final year, ultimately graduating with honors.
Notably, Conner's journey continued with a seventh-round selection by the New York Mets in the 2017 MLB Draft, marking the highest draft position for a player from his school since 2006. His pro career spanned five successful years with the New York Mets and Chicago White Sox, during which his gritty character and relentless work ethic became synonymous with his name. Beyond personal achievements, Conner assumed a mentoring role, guiding fellow players through the demanding challenges of professional baseball.
His college coach attested to Conner's unparalleled consistency, describing him as a value-driven individual with a deep toughness that places him in the 99th percentile of student-athletes. Now, Conner brings this uniquely committed and resilient attitude to LMU, where his firsthand knowledge of the effort, skills, and mindset required for improvement and success will undoubtedly prove invaluable to both staff and players in the program.
