20240503_AS_007779

Connor Caskenette Season 2023

PositionC
Weight215 lbs
Height6-0
YearJunior
HometownDuncan, British Columbia
Previous SchoolCochise JC
B/TR/R
HS Grad Class2020
2024 / AS A SENIOR
• Buster Posey Award Semifinalist
• Third Team All-Big Ten (Catcher)
• Big Ten Player of the Week (April 29)

2023 / AS A JUNIOR
• Academic All-Big Ten
• 
Played in 44 games and made 40 starts, including a team-high 37 at catcher
• Recognized as the team's Defensive Player of the Year for his work behind the plate while starting 22 of the 24 Big Ten games
• Beginning with the March 31 Big Ten home opener, started 28 of the final 30 games -- starting behind the plate in 17 consecutive Big Ten games
• Batted in the middle of the lineup (3-4-5) in 29 of his 37 starts
• Led the team with five home runs and 24 RBI in Big Ten play
• Also led the team with five home runs and 22 RBI at Alexander Field
• Posted an 18-game hit streak from April 8 to May 10, Purdue's longest since 2011; batted .311 with 9 XBH and 16 RBI during the streak
• Compiled a 25-game on-base streak from March 26 to May 10
• Finished the season riding an 18-game on-base streak at Alexander Field after his 16-game hit streak at home ended May 18
• Recorded an RBI in six consecutive games during the seven-game homestand, powering the Boilermakers to consecutive series wins
• Made his team team debut as the starting catcher in game No. 6 after an untimely injury in Purdue's first practice in Texas 48 hours before Opening Day
• Homered in back-to-back games in the Rutgers series; also went deep vs. Michigan State, Penn State, Nebraska and Evansville
• The long balls vs. Evansville and Penn State were three-run blasts in the first two innings
• Doubled twice in the series-opening win vs. Northwestern, driving in the go-ahead run in the sixth inning
• Delivered a game-tying RBI double in front of Jake Parr's walk-off single in the ninth inning of the rubber game win vs. South Dakota State
• Threw out a team-high six base stealers, including three in Big Ten play
• Had Purdue's best strikeout rate among the regulars, fanning just 20 times in 147 at-bats
• Ranked second on team with 11 multi-RBI games, including a season-high four RBI in the rubber game of the Michigan State series
• Had five RBI in three different Big Ten series -- Michigan State, Penn State, Rutgers
• Cemented himself as the starting catcher with a .361/.467./.556 slash line in March, going 6-for-12 with a .647 OBP during the six games over spring break
• Went 3-for-5 with three free passes and no strikeouts int he Ole Miss series
• Hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the fifth inning of the comeback win vs. Nebraska



BEFORE PURDUE
Played his first two collegiate seasons at Cochise College in Sierra Vista, Arizona (south of Tucson)
First-team all-conference and all-region as a sophomore; also won a gold glove at catcher
Second-team all-conference and all-region as a freshman
2022 stats (61 games): .364/.417/.550, 23 2B, 6 HR, 58 RBI, 33 R, threw out 18 base stealers
2021 stats (48 games): .369/.477/.592, 20 XBH, 6 HR, 32 RBI, 30 BB, 44 R, threw out 11 base stealers
Powered Cochise to a 44-18 record as the team’s leading hitter and run producer in 2022
Two-year honor roll student

CANADA
Played for coach Larson Bauck with his Mid-Island Pirates club team
Also Played for the Canadian Junior National Team
First-team British Columbia Premier Baseball League honoree
Area Code Games participant

PERSONAL
Major: Sociology
Full name is Connor John Allan Caskenette
Born in Duncan, British Columbia
Parents are Christopher and Nicole Caskenette
Family also includes older sister Tianna

PURDUE PERSONAL PREFERENCES
Favorite Pro Team:
Toronto Blue Jays
Traditionally Roots Against (Pro Rival): Boston Red Sox
Favorite Athlete: J.T. Realmuto
Had the Biggest Impact on His Athletic Career: Chris and Nicole (parents)
Favorite Playoff Format: Stanley Cup
Favorite Pro Stadium: PNC Park
Favorite Field He’s Played at (Besides Alexander): Rogers Centre
Toughest Pitcher for Him to Face Among Teammates: Jonathan Blackwell
Current MLB Pitcher He’d Like to Face: Alek Manoah
Funniest Teammate: Jo Stevens
Current Teammate with the Best Baseball Instincts: Evan Albrecht
Purdue Staff Member He’s Enjoys Strongest Connection With: Coach Rooney
In His Favorite Playlist: Metallica
Would Love to See Him Play Purdue: Drake
Favorite Multi-Media App: Twitter
Favorite Super-Hero Series: Thor
Show He Can’t Stop Watching: Suits
Favorite Video Game or System: Call of Duty
Favorite Month:  June
Favorite Holiday: Christmas
Pick One – Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner: Lunch
Favorite Food: Chicken Parmesan
Favorite Dessert: Apple Pie
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Hiking
Another Sport He Enjoys Playing: Hockey
Favorite Big City: Vancouver
Unique Travel Locale: Florida
Country He’d Like to Visit: Puerto Rico
Pick One for a Vacation – Beach, Mountains or Road Trip: Beach
Favorite Costume at the Alexander Halloween Bash: Steve Ramirez- WWE
Favorite Thing About Alexander Field: The brick layout
Most Memorable Game/Moment at Purdue: Gold winning series
Top Sports Moment Prior to Purdue: Walk-off win vs. Arizona Western
Furry Friend: Buster, Maltese
Caskenette_20231025_AS_026503

Senior
2024

C
6-0 / 215 lbs