In the first round of the 2024 MLB draft, the New York Yankees selected right-handed pitcher Ben Hess out of Alabama State University. The Yankees selected 26th overall in this year’s draft selections.
Yankees 2024 MLB Draft Round One: Scouting Report And Analysis
The MLB draft festivities kicked off Sunday night in Texas, with the Cleveland Guardians leading it off. 25 rounds later, the Yankees took their pick to enhance the organization’s future and pad the farm system.
The 21-year-old Hess is ranked 44th of MLB’s top 250 draft prospects for the year. The expectation for Hess’ draft position was two to three picks later, if not early second round. Clearly, the Yankees see potential in Hess, and he’s a proven prospect with a lot to offer.
2024 MLB Draft: Background On Ben Hess
The right-hander is originally from Charleston, Illinois. His 2021 high school graduate year was promising as Hess committed to Alabama State University with slight professional interest. Perfect Game baseball had him ranked first in his position and second overall in Illinois State.
Nationally, Perfect Game ranked him 19th as a right-handed pitcher and 72nd overall. Overall, he was the top pitching prospect in the state, and Alabama saw extreme potential for him to work.
Ben Hess’ Collegiate Overview And Statistics
The NCAA’s Southeastern Conference (SEC) was the right fit for Hess. He was dependable for the Tide in his freshman year and was primarily a midweek starter. He picked up three wins and one loss in 2022, seeing 33 and ⅔ innings. Alabama captured early positive queues, which included the ability to control a count and compete against elite hitters.
In his sophomore year (2023), Hess performed well before facing injury. He kept opposing hitters to a .215 batting average, ranking 13th in the league afinished the season with a 4-0 record in 36 and ⅓ innings pitched. He struck out 49 hitters, only walking eight.
Finally, in his junior year, he returned healthy and doubled his innings of work to 68 ⅓. Hess went off the rails with his numbers and accolades. He had a 5-5 record, faced 305 batters while striking out 106 of them, and only walked 33.
He was then ranked the 28th college prospect for the 2024 MLB draft by D1Baseball while ranking eighth in the SEC for strikeouts. Hess also owns the career record for strikeouts per nine innings at Alabama.
His junior year blew up, raised his stock, and led to a high draft slot in the 2024 MLB draft.
Ben Hess’ Evaluation And Scouting Report
Hess’ enormous frame brings attention to him on the bump, with a husky-strong build at 6’5” and 255 lbs. His vertical and lengthy limbs allow good reach and stride in his delivery. His size projects into his strength and ability to throw the ball hard.
Hess’s delivery is repeated with a primary ¾ arm slot and strong finish. He offers a four-pitch menu, leading with a four-seam fastball. The heater has life and run, sitting 94-96 mph and topping out at 99 mph. It is projected to surpass 100 mph max.
His curveball sits in the early 80s with top-bottom movement, but rarely used. The changeup has strong potential in the mid-80s and works low at the knees; if he doesn’t miss, he wins with this pitch. Hess’ put-away is a multi-action slider that sits in the mid-80s with horizontal dance and cut action.
The ‘Bama right-hander can work counts and is smart with his opponents. His command can sometimes be questionable, but it’s more controlled than not. He works the zone while setting up fishing trips on the lower parts of the plate.
Hess’s comparison would be that of former major leaguer Trevor Bauer. As long as Hess can stay healthy, he’ll develop and advance quickly in the system.
Main Photo Credits: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
