As MLB scouts watch, Kentucky-bound Conor Essenburg knows role for Lincoln-Way West. ‘I'm in love with hitting.'

Chicago Tribune

15-05-2025

Lincoln-Way West's Conor Essenburg is doing his best to block out the outside noise, but he knows a big choice is not far off.
The senior outfielder/pitcher, who is committed to Kentucky, has several MLB scouts watching him at every game and figures to hear his name called in July's draft. Then he'll have to decide between college and turning pro.
'I've done a good job with ignoring it, but recently, it's been getting a little bit harder,' Essenburg said. 'We're getting close to the draft, obviously, and there are a lot of things I have to think about.
'It's hard stuff to figure out as an 18-year-old. I'm definitely going to take it slow because this decision is going to change my life no matter which way I go.'
For now, Essenburg's focus is on continuing to dominate at the high school level.
He delivered with a key two-run double Wednesday to help himself earn the win on the mound as the host Warriors edged crosstown rival Lincoln-Way Central for a 4-3 SouthWest Suburban Conference win in New Lenox.
Essenburg struck out nine in five innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits. He went 2-for-3 at the plate with an RBI and a run to lead Lincoln-Way West (21-7, 10-5). Quentin Lange was 2-for-2 with a run, while Roosevelt recruit Ian Hazelip and Jackson Mansker each added an RBI single.
Rock Valley commit Tyler Bartley pitched the final two innings, striking out three, and allowed just one unearned run to record the save.
'This is the reason why I play baseball,' Bartley said. 'Being on the mound in a one-run game in the last inning, these are the situations that I find so fun. Baseball is a fun game, but in those situations, it's even more fun. I just love it.'
Conor McCabe came up with an RBI single for Lincoln-Way Central (15-9, 10-3). Cade Andrews went 2-for-3 with a run, while Toledo recruit Liam Arsich singled and scored a run.
Arsich also threw 4 2/3 innings, allowing four earned runs on seven hits and striking out three.
Arsich took a shutout into the fifth inning and the Knights led 2-0 before the Warriors put up four runs. Essenburg tied the game with a two-run double before Hazelip and Mansker's RBI singles gave the Warriors the lead for good.
Essenburg, who knew his pitching day was over, was motivated to make an impact another way.
'It definitely lit a fire in me,' Essenburg said. 'My competitive edge came out and I was getting sick of losing, so I wanted to do something to change the game around.'
Lange, the ninth hitter in the batting order, singled ahead of Essenburg's at-bat and was confident something good was about to happen.
'The whole game plan is just to get on base by any means and get it back up to Conor and let him do the magic,' Lange said. 'It's awesome having him behind me. He drives us in all the time.'
Essenburg is hitting .461 with 31 runs, eight homers and 42 RBIs. He's also 5-0 on the mound with an 0.95 ERA.
Even more important than those dominant numbers, according to Lincoln-Way West coach Jake Zajc, is how he has become a better team player.
'This year, he's been a tremendous leader,' Zajc said of Essenburg. 'He leads by example, and he's trying to be a vocal leader. He celebrates with his team. He's doing everything he can to help others and I'm very proud of him in that aspect.'
Essenburg plans to be a full-time outfielder after high school, so his pitching days are numbered.
'Pitching is fun still so I'm trying to enjoy it while I can,' he said. 'But I'm also excited to be able to put the ball down and put all my focus on swinging the bat every day. It's going to be fun.
'I'm in love with hitting.'