If teams are looking for a speedy, well-rounded center fielder, they need look no further than Hudson Haskin. The Tulane Green Wave product is a draft eligible sophomore and he has been shooting up MLB draft boards. Haskin is currently ranked as the number-75 prospect according to MLB.com.
Haskin’s blend of speed and plate discipline made him one of the premier players in all of college baseball the past two seasons. The six-foot-two inch, 200 pound outfielder earned freshman All-American honors in 2019. He was also a preseason All-American in 2020.
After previously being drafted in 39th round by the Oakland Athletics in 2018, Haskin decided against entering pro ball. His decision to attend college has definitely paid off as he will certainly hear his name called on MLB draft night.
Strengths
Haskin grades out as above average with his speed. His ability to track balls in the outfield make him a more than ideal candidate as a long term center fielder. By being able to take advantage of his wheels, Haskin relies on his instincts and excellent outfield angles to cover a lot of ground. His pure athleticism forced him in to the lineup at Tulane and he did not disappoint.
As a freshman, Haskin put together a campaign where he hit .372 with 19 doubles, four triples, ten home runs and 52 RBI. His smooth, quick swing glides through the strike zone getting the barrel on the ball. He shows a lot of pop and was off to another great start in 2020. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 outbreak ended what was looking to be a promising season. Through 17 games, Haskin hit .333 with six doubles, one triple, one home run and 14 RBI.
He also displays a very keen eye at the plate. During his freshman season, Haskin only struck out 29 times and walked 26 times. Very impressive for such a young hitter. Despite the shortened season, Haskin has shown enough with his bat that it is seen by scouts as one of his major strengths.
Weaknesses
Despite possessing elite speed, Hudson Haskin is not an aggressive baserunner. He stole only four bases in 2019 and just one in the shortened 2020 season. However, his lack of steals can potentially be placed on Tulane’s poor pitching performances. Travis Jewitt, the Green Wave head coach, did not want to give teams free outs by attempting steals. But, the team that drafts Haskin will expect him to use his 4.1 down-the-line speed as a weapon and not remain stagnant at first base.
Also, despite a solid eye at the plate, Haskin draws very few walks. He relies heavily on his ability to make contact and can get over-aggressive at the plate. For a player with Haskin’s speed, teams will expect him to be very patient and selective in the batter’s box. But, for a hitter of Haskin’s caliber, his lack of walks isn’t necessarily a concerning issue. He will need to keep his strikeouts down and his hits up if he continues to use his aggressive hitting approach.
MLB Comp
Hudson Haskin compares well to Houston Astros outfielder and fellow Avon Old Farms School alum George Springer. Haskin and Springer stand around the same height. And, once filled out, Haskin should easily weigh close to Springer’s 215 pounds. Both players are very toolsy defenders who are more than capable of playing an elite center field.
Both players are aggressive at the plate and, like Springer, Haskin draws very few walks as they would both rather swing the bat. Each player is capable of stealing a base, but neither uses their speed as a weapon on offense. Scouts hope that Haskin will develop the pop that Springer currently has and see him as a potential 20-25 annual home run hitter.
Hudson Haskin should hear his name announced early on draft night. His elite defense and offensive potential make him one of the more intriguing prospects in the entire draft. Haskin has seen his stock rise considerably and the team drafting him could have a future star in their system.
Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images
