DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers have named Mark Conner as the club’s Director of Amateur Scouting, joining the organization after 13 seasons with the San Diego Padres.
“I’m excited to welcome another highly talented baseball operations executive to our front office,” said Scott Harris, Detroit Tigers President of Baseball Operations. “Rob and Mark have each led some of the most successful Drafts of the last decade and I am confident they will form a dynamic partnership atop our Amateur Scouting Department. Mark’s track record of success and vision for the department made him the perfect fit for this role. He will be a great complement to Rob and an excellent leader for our area scouts, cross-checkers, and analysts moving forward.”
Conner held a variety of roles in his tenure with the Padres, most recently as a Special Assistant to the GM/Field Coordinator in 2022 and Director, Amateur Scouting from 2014-21. While overseeing the MLB Draft for San Diego, Conner selected many top prospects and current Major Leaguers, including CJ Abrams, David Bednar, Ty France, MacKenzie Gore and Cal Quantrill. That collection of talent led the Padres to having a top 10 farm system in the Majors from 2017-21 and contributed to the team clinching playoff appearances in two of the last three seasons (2020, 2022).
“I couldn’t be happier to join a historic organization like the Tigers and I’m looking forward to working with Scott, Rob and the entire baseball operations group,” said Conner. “During the interview process with Scott and Rob it was clear that all our philosophies, and perhaps more importantly passions to win, were very much aligned. I’ve seen firsthand over the last seven seasons what an impact sound yet progressive amateur draft decisions can have on an organization’s path to success, and I’m excited to get started.”
Conner first joined the Padres as an amateur scout in 2010 and was promoted to northeast regional supervisor prior to the 2014 season. He received the Padres’ Denny Galehouse Scout of the Year Award in 2010, awarded for his thoroughness and diligence in covering his territory and exhausting all resources to gather information about players being scouted.
Prior to joining San Diego, Conner served as pitching coach at the University of South Carolina, Aiken from 2005-09, where he helped guide the Pacers to a school-record 47 wins in 2008. Before his time at USCA, he was an assistant coach at Indian Hills Community College (IA), working with pitchers and catchers. Conner was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for Cumberland University (TN) for four seasons before joining Indians Hills.
Conner played collegiately at Cumberland University, where he was a member of four conference championships and appeared in three NAIA World Series. He earned both his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in education.
A native of Cleveland, OH, Conner and his wife, Jennifer, reside in Nashville, TN, with their daughter (Claire) and son (Caleb).
