Prospect Profile: David Hess
Number 18 on the Baltimore Orioles preseason top 30 prospects list is David Hess. Check out the profile on number 19, Yefry Ramirez. David Hess is a 24 year old right handed starting pitcher. He has been with the Orioles since he was drafted out of Tennessee Tech in the fifth round of the 2014 draft.
Hess spent three seasons at Tennessee Tech splitting time as a starter and coming out of the bullpen. He had a career record of 19-12 with a 4.62 ERA and 232 strikeouts. His career ERA is a little inflated by a poor freshman season where he had an ERA of 7.59.
After being drafted, Hess was sent to the Aberdeen Ironbirds where he appeared in eight games. Hess came out of the bullpen for his first three appearances, but then made five straight starts to end his Ironbirds career. He had a solid stint in Aberdeen going 2-1 with a 3.24 ERA only walking eight and striking out 24 in 25.1 innigs of work.
Hess then finished off the season with two starts with the Delmarva Shorebirds. He pitched four innings in both starts, only giving up 3 runs striking out 12 and walking none.
He started of the 2015 season with the Frederick Keys where he had another solid stint. He went 9-4 with a 3.58 ERA, striking out 110 and walking 53 in 133.1 innings.
In September of 2015, Hess was called up for two starts with the Bowie Baysox. He struggled in the first start going 3.1 innings allowing 4 runs on 6 hits. He shined in his next start however, going 6.1 innings allowing one run and punching out 8.
He has spent the last two years with the Baysox in AA. He struggled in his first full season in Bowie. He had a 5-13 record with 5.37 ERA, and only striking out 85 in 127.1 innings.
He stupped his game the next year, improving his record to 11-9. Over 154.1 innings, Hess carried a 3.85 ERA while striking out 123. Hess was added to the 40-man roster after this season.
MLB.com analysis
Hess attacks the zone from an over-the-top slot that helps him achieve downhill plane with a fastball that ranges from 89-95 mph and usually sits around 93. Both his slider and curveball are average offerings, with the former currently grading ahead of the latter, though he can get caught between them at times. He also has a serviceable changeup that plays against left-handed hitters and demonstrates average control of his four-pitch mix.
Questions remain about whether Hess, with his high-effort delivery and lack of an out pitch, can remain a starter. It’s long been thought that his stuff would play up in short bursts out of the bullpen, where his fastball-breaking ball pairing could make him a force against right-handed hitters.
Scouting Grades:
Fastball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Curveball: 50 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45
MLB ETA: 2018
