Lincoln-Approach West’s Conor Essenburg took a Monday evening flight to Phoenix, the place he participated within the MLB draft mix from Tuesday to Wednesday.
However earlier than he headed to the airport, nonetheless, Essenburg spent the day serving to on the Warriors’ youth camp. To not point out signing loads of autographs and posing for much more pictures.
Essenburg, a senior outfielder/pitcher, has embraced his native movie star standing.
“It was superior,” Essenburg mentioned. “I had tons of little children coming as much as me. Simply having the ability to do this type of stuff is tremendous cool to offer again to the group. I was that child that used to comply with gamers round and attempt to get their photos and autographs.
“It makes my day each single time.”
There’s a very good purpose why Essenburg’s consideration is extremely sought by children. The Kentucky recruit simply accomplished a prolific profession as a two-way star for the Lincoln-Approach West.
Essenburg capped it together with his finest season but. The 2025 Each day Southtown Baseball Participant of the 12 months batted .464 with 42 runs, 19 stolen bases 11 doubles, 10 homers and 49 RBIs. On the mound, he completed 5-0 with a 0.94 ERA and a whopping 94 strikeouts in 44 2/3innings.
Essenburg additionally was named the SouthWest Suburban Convention’s participant of the yr and earned all-state honors.
However his recognition didn’t cease there. The American Baseball Coaches Affiliation and Rawlings named him an All-American. He’s certainly one of 4 gamers from Illinois and the one one from the Southland to achieve that honor.
None of that comes as a shock to Essenburg’s teammates like junior outfielder Carson Paulas.
“It’s a lot enjoyable watching Conor play,” Paulas mentioned. “He’s such an ideal hitter and pitcher and simply does every part effectively. He works actually arduous.”
As spectacular as Essenburg’s numbers have been, Lincoln-Approach West coach Jake Zajc has been equally happy with his progress off the sector.
Essenburg has developed a little bit of a popularity for being short-tempered. Previously, he wasn’t essentially the perfect chief. However this season was completely different.
“Over his 4 years at Lincoln-Approach West, he’s clearly improved on the sector, however he’s made loads of huge enhancements off the sector,” Zajc mentioned. “It’s been a studying expertise alongside the best way.
“His enchancment with all that stuff from junior to senior yr was very spectacular. He made a acutely aware effort to be a very good teammate and he was an ideal chief for us.”
Again to the autographs. Essenburg mentioned just a few years again he would comply with round Max Clark, then a extremely touted highschool participant in Indiana who was chosen third by the Detroit Tigers within the 2023 MLB draft.
“I by no means bought an autograph or an image, however I bought to see him play,” Essenburg mentioned. “I’ve his autograph now, although. I’ve household who lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the place he performs (for the Excessive-A West Michigan Whitecaps) and I went to a recreation.
“He signed two of my playing cards and took an image with me.”
Essenburg, who plans to concentrate on hitting and taking part in within the outfield on the subsequent degree, might be following Clark’s path quickly. He was certainly one of 5 highschool gamers from Illinois invited to the draft mix and certainly one of two locals together with senior pitcher Jack Bauer from Lincoln-Approach East.
“It was my purpose to have the ability to end off my highschool profession by going to the mix,” Essenburg mentioned. “After I bought the invite, it was wonderful. I referred to as my dad (Troy) and he was like in tears over how proud he was of me. I assumed that was the best factor ever.”
One factor which will prime that might be listening to his title referred to as in subsequent month’s draft. Then Essenburg will seemingly have an enormous resolution to make between going to Kentucky or signing with a professional group.
“I feel I’m ready for it,” Essenburg mentioned. “I feel I’m beginning to perceive that irrespective of the place I find yourself, I’m going to be in a extremely great place.
“It’s type of only a win-win scenario.”
