CSS Button No Image Css3Menu.com

Baseball Prospectus home
  
  
Click here to log in Click here to subscribe

Taylor Hearn

Born: 08/30/1994 (Age: 23)
Bats: Left Throws: Left
Height: 6' 6" Weight: 230
Mechanics
Hearn has a medium-high leg kick before a short step towards home plate. Hearn drives and rotates off the back foot while his flexibility allows him to create tension in the core before the front leg extends and the upper body's momentum and tension release towards home plate. The result is smooth plus arm speed from a three-quarters delivery.
Evaluator Kevin Carter
Report Date 08/05/2018
Affiliate Frisco RoughRiders (AA, Rangers)
Dates Seen 8/3/2018
OFP 60
MLB ETA 2018
Video Yes
Pitch Type Future Grade Sitting Velocity Peak Velocity Report
Fastball 70 94 97 Hearn throws a four-seamer with some natural cut that sits around 94 and topped out at 97. Also mixes in a 91-93 two-seamer with consistent average arm-side action. Hearn's command of the pitch varies between average and above-average from inning to inning.
Slider 55 83 83 Flashed above-average with sharp two plane break with above average depth; especially effective low in zone. Pitch occasionally came out of the hand slower (78-80) and loopy with less effectiveness, but could have been intentional to add a different velocity. Showed confidence in pitch by using it early in counts later in game.
Changeup 50 83 83 Quality deception and arm speed. Consistently average with average tumble and some fade. When left up, pitch flattened out significantly, but is a swing and miss offering to RHH when left low and away.
Overall

Taylor Hearn's plus velocity and potent three pitch mix from the left side profiles as a future number four starter on an MLB team. Hearn utilizes two different fastballs; a 92-95 four-seamer with natural cut and a 91-93 2-seamer with average arm-side action. Hearn's primary secondary is an 83-84 breaking ball with above-average two plane break although it occasionally comes out of the hand slow and loopy. Hearn mixes in a changeup that regularly flashes average with quality deception and arm speed in addition to average tumble and slight fade. Hearn's athleticism and fluid pitching mechanics allow him to pitch with average command that should continue to improve with better feel of the secondaries.

If Hearn is unable to improve the command or feel for the secondaries his stuff might only play as a no. 5 starter or up and down pitcher. In that case he'd likely do better in a relief role where he can let loose with the mid-high 90s velocity.

With improved consistency Hearn should solidify a position as a no. 4 starter and could provide no. 3 starter value if he is able to fully iron out the kinks with the slider and changeup while consistently working with above-average command.

Baseball Prospectus Home  |  Terms of Service  |  Privacy Policy  |  Customer Service  |  Newsletter  |  Masthead  |  Contact Us