Sam Connon

Joined: Jul 10, 2023

Sam Connon is a Staff Writer for Fastball on the Sports Illustrated/FanNation networks. He previously covered UCLA Athletics for Sports Illustrated/FanNation's All Bruins, 247Sports' Bruin Report Online, Rivals' Bruin Blitz, the Bleav Podcast Network and the Daily Bruin, with his work as a sports columnist receiving awards from the College Media Association and Society of Professional Journalists. Connon also wrote for Sports Illustrated/FanNation's New England Patriots site, Patriots Country, and he was on the Patriots and Boston Red Sox beats at Prime Time Sports Talk.

Sep 18, 2021; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Joey Krehbiel (64) throws against the Detroit Tigers in the ninth inning at Tropicana Field.

Minors

Tampa Bay Rays Reunite With Pitcher Joey Krehbiel on Minor League Contract

Aug 31, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox second base Jacob Amaya (18) throws to first after forcing New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) out during the fifth inning at Guaranteed Rate Field.

News

Chicago White Sox Designate Jacob Amaya For Assignment Following Josh Rojas Signing

Dec 10, 2024; Dallas, TX, USA; Florida Marlins president of operations Peter Bendix on the set of MLB Tonight at the Hilton Anatole during the 2024 MLB Winter Meetings.

News

MLB Insider 'Closely Watching' Miami Marlins' Lack of Spending Entering 2025

Sep 20, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) delivers a pitch during the third inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park.

News

Projecting San Francisco Giants' Rotation After Shocking Justin Verlander Signing

Aug 14, 2024; Anaheim, California, USA; Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Daulton Varsho (25) attempts to catch a fly ball double by Los Angeles Angels left fielder Taylor Ward (not pictured) in the second inning at Angel Stadium.

News

Toronto Blue Jays' Daulton Varsho Debuts on MLB Network's List of Top 10 Center Fielders

Daulton Varsho was named the No. 7 center fielder in MLB on Tuesday, thanks in large part to the flashy defense he has put on display with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Sep 13, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (88) catches a fly ball hit by Oakland Athletics outfielder Brent Rooker (not pictured) during the first inning at Guaranteed Rate Field.

News

Chicago White Sox’s Luis Robert Jr. Recognized as Top 10 Center Fielder in MLB

MLB Network restarted its "Top 10 Players Right Now" series on Tuesday, with Chicago White Sox slugger Luis Robert Jr. narrowly making the cut among center fielders.

Sep 27, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo (24) reacts after striking out against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fourth inning at Yankee Stadium.

News

Toronto Blue Jays Among Teams Interested in Free Agent Alex Verdugo, Per Report

Alex Verdugo could make another stop in the AL East, following up on his stints with the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees by signing with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Sep 17, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a run during the third inning against the Detroit Tigers at Kauffman Stadium.

News

FOX Sports Makes Bold Prediction About Kansas City Royals Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.

Bobby Witt Jr. was already runner-up for AL MVP in 2024, but he could make further history if he gives the Kansas City Royals 200 hits, 40 home runs, 40 doubles and 40 stolen bases in 2025.

Jul 12, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette (11) looks on against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the third inning at Chase Field.

News

Pending Free Agent Bo Bichette Has 'No Interest' in Returning to Toronto Blue Jays

Bo Bichette has been a mainstay in the Toronto Blue Jays' lineup for six seasons, but the All-Star shortstop is reportedly "as good as gone" when he his contract expires next winter.

Apr 23, 2022; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Bobby Dalbec (29) reacts after hitting an RBI triple against the Tampa Bay Rays in the tenth inning at Tropicana Field.

News

Chicago White Sox Add Former Boston Red Sox Slugger Bobby Dalbec on Minor League Deal

Bobby Dalbec, who showed flashes of power with the Boston Red Sox in 2020 and 2021, is set to join the Chicago White Sox when Spring Training gets underway.

Oct 29, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo (24) runs off the field against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third inning during Game 4 of the 2024 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium.

News

Pittsburgh Pirates Reportedly Interested in Free Agent Outfielder Alex Verdugo

Alex Verdugo, who fizzled out with both the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, is reportedly an option to round out the Pittsburgh Pirates' outfield in 2025.

Aug 29, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies second baseman Brendan Rodgers (7) reacts as he loses track of a fly ball in the third inning against the Miami Marlins at Coors Field.

News

Yankees Reportedly Interested in Former Rockies Second Baseman Brendan Rodgers

The Colorado Rockies non-tendered second baseman Brendan Rodgers in November, and now the New York Yankees have had talks with the Gold Glove free agent.

Sep 29, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) flips his bat after being walked against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at Rogers Centre.

News

Blue Jays Star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 'Likely' to Join Red Sox in 2026, Per Report

If the Toronto Blue Jays are unable to agree to a contract extension with superstar first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. before Spring Training, the expectation is that he will sign with the Boston Red Sox next winter.

Mar 6, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays infielder Carson Williams (80) looks on before the game against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

Minors

Tampa Bay Rays' Carson Williams Voted MLB’s Top Defensive Prospect in Executive Poll

Carson Williams is one of the most highly-regarded prospects in all of baseball, and he is expected to take over as the Tampa Bay Rays’ shortstop of the future.

Miami Marlins pitcher Ryan Weathers (60) delivers a pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning at Chase Field in Phoenix on Sunday, May 26, 2024.

News

Miami Marlins Pitcher Ryan Weathers Explains Weight Loss, Diet Change Entering 2025

Ryan Weathers enjoyed a breakout year with the Miami Marlins in 2024, despite dealing with a finger injury, and he has apparently lost 20 pounds so far this offseason.

Aug 14, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Tampa Bay Rays right fielder Ben Zobrist (18) celebrates a victory with manager Joe Maddon (70) against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington.

News

Hall of Fame Out of Reach For Former Rays Stars Ben Zobrist, Fernando Rodney in 2025

Neither Ben Zobrist nor Fernando Rodney have appeared on a single publicly available ballot submitted for the Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2025 so far, preventing the former Tampa Bay Rays standouts from reaching the 75% required to get inducted.