Connor Prielipp: A Big Name From a Small Town

Freshman Connor Prielipp in his first collegiate game against Harvard.

By Cierra Loomis on March 11th, 2020

Connor Prielipp isn't your average or even ordinary Division I student-athlete.

A small town of just under 10,000 residents called Tomah in Wisconsin is where Prielipp calls home. Before starting at The University of Alabama to pursue a potential career in baseball and earn a degree in business, he attended Tomah High School which teaches about 950 students in total.

This high school might not have the largest fan base, but they give their students the opportunity to pursue their dreams.

Baseball is a huge passion of his and both of Prielipp's parents, Shelia and Darrell, have invested a great deal in refining his ability to help him grown the natural-born talents he posses.

Tomah High School head baseball coach Ryan Brookman who coached Prielipp said, "we have had some good athletes in the past. No one at Connor's level. The best we have produced have gone to play Division III baseball in Wisconsin or Minnesota. Connor is certainly unique to our area... for now."

To be seen by the right people early on in his career, Prielipp played for RJ Fergus at Hitters Baseball in Caledonia, Wisconsin, just south of Milwaukee. There were two times during the summer after his junior year that coach Brookman said opened people's eyes to Prielipp's true talent and potential.

In July, Prielipp played in a Wisconsin summer travel baseball organization where he was ranked fourth in his class and played against the other top three. In seven innings, he struck out 17 batters and was the top prospect in the 2019 class for Wisconsin the following week.

Later in August during the end of the summer season, he pitched in the well-known and prestigious Area Code Games in California. The athleticism Prielipp put up and showed during those games is what drew the attention he received.

The four-time varsity baseball player during his high school career produced statistics that proved his true ability on not only the mound but at the plate during his at-bats.

"Connor is the most competitive player I have coached. His talent is unique to our area and his drive to compete compliments that skill. He has a gift he was given at birth. You can't just teach what he has. If we could, we would be doing that now," said coach Brookman.

After concluding his junior season (2018), Prielipp recorded a 0.27 ERA, produced 97 strikeouts and allowed 14 hits total in 52 complete innings.

Among his many accomplishments during that season, he was named the La Crosse Tribune's Player of the Year, selected as the Wisconsin Baseball Central Pitcher of the Year, was the 2018 District III Player of the Year and First Team All-District honoree. He was also selected by USA Today in 2018 for Second Team All-USA Wisconsin Baseball.

To end his high school career, Prielipp had a 6-2 record to finish the season, an astounding 0.85 ERA, and 118 strikeouts over 49.1 innings. He batted .311 with seven doubles, 12 RBIs and added a .466 slugging percentage to his high school statistics before graduating.

In 2019, he was ranked as the top-rated left-handed pitcher in Wisconsin, No, 2 overall Player in Wisconsin and No. 27 left-handed pitcher nationally by Perfect Game USA. Prielipp also earned the 2019 Gatorade State High School Player of the Year and Collegiate Baseball News First Team All-American honors.

During the 37th round of the 2019 Major League Baseball Draft, the Boston Red Sox chose the outstanding small town lefty pitcher, but Prielipp elected to attend The University of Alabama where he continues to dominate on the rubber.

"Connor and head coach Bohanon seem to have a great connection. Watching from afar, Connor and Alabama seem to be a great fit," said coach Brookman.

While currently in the middle of his true freshman collegiate season, he has shown that Alabama baseball is where he is supposed to be.

On College Opening Day against Northeastern University, Prielipp started on the mound for Alabama, making him the first true freshman since Taylor Guilbeau (2012) to start an opener for UA since freshmen were allowed to play Division I baseball in 1968. He also earned the win during that game which made him the first freshman in the University of Alabama school history to win a season opener.

In all three of his starts so far this season, Prielipp has earned the victories which makes him the first freshman to do so since B.J. Green in 1998.

"He doesn't like to lose. As a pitcher, he is incredibly smart. He understands what hitters are trying to do. You don't outsmart him," said coach Brookman

Currently, Prielipp has an ERA of zero with 35 strikeouts, five hits, one double and no runs allowed through 21 innings this season. He is ranked No. 1 in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and second nationally for his incredible job so far out on the diamond.

On average, batters who face the pitches Prielipp throws bat .077 and per every nine innings, he allows 1.80 hits and has given up no runs to the opposing team.

He will hopefully continue to produce more statistics like these at Alabama and lead the team to more wins and improve on its current 16-record.

From a small town to a big school, Prielipp has proven to many that he has what it takes to reach his dreams and that he is going to do whatever it takes to get there.