Top-10 Profiles of 2020: No. 10 Ben Hess

Wed December 16, 2020
Diego Solares
Staff Writer

As the year starts to unwind, our staff will start to highlight the top-10 most viewed profiles from 2020 –starting at No. 10 and counting down.

Today, we’ll look at Charleston’s Ben Hess, the No. 1-ranked prospect in the Illinois’ 2021 class and the No. 93 player in the nation. Our last look at Hess this year came in July at the PBR Midwest ProCase, where he showed his upside stuff during his lone inning of work. Here is what David Seifert, our Director of College Scouting, wrote about his July 7 performance:

“The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Indiana recruit topped 92.6 mph, per TrackMan, with an average spin rate of 2,062 rpm. Looked strong and confident on the bump with good feel. Some effort to his delivery with good arm action and full path to a high three-quarter slot. Somewhat hesitant delivery, will need to smooth out for greater fluidity and repeatability. Also showed a sharp, tight, plus-grade slider at 78-79 mph, spinning around 2,200 rpm. Good arm speed and control of average 79-80 mph circle changeup. Some fade with 1,600 spin rate. Future three-pitch weekend starter at the collegiate level with a chance to be considered in the top three rounds this June when healthy.”

Hess is committed to Indiana and should be an impact part of that Hoosiers’ pitching staff sooner rather than later.

TOP-10 PROFILES OF 2020, NO. 10: BEN HESS

View Full Profile

Ben Hess

Class of 2021 / RHP

Rankings  StateRank: 1 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 147 / POS: 47

Player Information

  • Graduating Class: 2021
  • Primary Position: RHP
  • High School: Charleston
    State: IL
  • Summer Team: 17U RakeCity
  • Height: 6-5
    Weight: 220lbs
  • Bat/Throw: R/R

Statistics

Pitching
94
Max FB
(06/25/20)
92 - 93
FB
(06/25/20)
66 - 72
CB
79 - 80
CH
(07/07/20)
78 - 79
SL
(07/07/20)
Pitching
Max FB
79
FB
75 - 79
CB
64 - 66
View Event
Pitching
Max FB
93
FB
90 - 92
CH
79 - 80
SL
78 - 79
View Event
Pitching
Max FB
94
FB
92 - 93
View Event
Pitching
Max FB
88
FB
86 - 88
CH
74 - 76
SL
76 - 78
View Event
Pitching
Max FB
85
FB
83 - 85
CH
74 - 76
SL
73 - 75
View Event
Pitching
Max FB
84
FB
81 - 84
CB
66 - 72
CH
71 - 73
View Event
Pitching
Max FB
84
FB
82 - 83
CH
64 - 69
SL
65 - 67
View Event
Position
8.52
60-yard
(01/27/18)
82
INF Velo
83
Exit Velo
5.01
H-1st
Position
60-yard
8.52
INF Velo
82
Exit Velo
83
View Event
Trackman - Fastball
92.6
Velocity (max)
(07/07/20)
90.0 - 92.5
Velo Range
(07/07/20)
90.7
Eff Velocity (avg)
(07/07/20)
2146
Spin Rate (max)
(07/07/20)
2062
Spin Rate (avg)
(07/07/20)
15.2
IVB (max)
(07/07/20)
14.1
IVB (avg)
(07/07/20)
15.7
HM (max)
(07/07/20)
11.7
HM (avg)
(07/07/20)
6.0
Extension (avg)
(07/07/20)
5.5
Release Ht (avg)
(07/07/20)
24
Spin Score (max)
(07/07/20)
40
Zone %
(07/07/20)
Trackman - Fastball
Velocity (max)
92.6
Velo Range
90 - 92.5
Eff Velocity (avg)
90.7
Spin Rate (max)
2146
Spin Rate (avg)
2062
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
View Event
Trackman - Slider
79.3
Velocity (max)
(07/07/20)
78.9 - 79.3
Velo Range
(07/07/20)
77.1
Eff Velocity (avg)
(07/07/20)
2234
Spin Rate (max)
(07/07/20)
2191
Spin Rate (avg)
(07/07/20)
-2.3
IVB (max)
(07/07/20)
0.3
IVB (avg)
(07/07/20)
-7.2
HM (max)
(07/07/20)
-6.7
HM (avg)
(07/07/20)
5.2
Extension (avg)
(07/07/20)
5.0
Release Ht (avg)
(07/07/20)
28
Spin Score (max)
(07/07/20)
Trackman - Slider
Velocity (max)
79.3
Velo Range
78.9 - 79.3
Eff Velocity (avg)
77.1
Spin Rate (max)
2234
Spin Rate (avg)
2191
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
View Event
Trackman - ChangeUp
80.3
Velocity (max)
(07/07/20)
78.7 - 80.2
Velo Range
(07/07/20)
78.8
Eff Velocity (avg)
(07/07/20)
1686
Spin Rate (max)
(07/07/20)
1613
Spin Rate (avg)
(07/07/20)
11.2
IVB (max)
(07/07/20)
10.5
IVB (avg)
(07/07/20)
16.0
HM (max)
(07/07/20)
14.7
HM (avg)
(07/07/20)
6.3
Extension (avg)
(07/07/20)
5.3
Release Ht (avg)
(07/07/20)
21
Spin Score (max)
(07/07/20)
67
Zone %
(07/07/20)
Trackman - ChangeUp
Velocity (max)
80.3
Velo Range
78.7 - 80.2
Eff Velocity (avg)
78.8
Spin Rate (max)
1686
Spin Rate (avg)
1613
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
View Event

Pitch_Scores

Pitch Scores - Fastball
100
Hop+
(07/07/20)
68
Rise+
(07/07/20)
88
Sink+
(07/07/20)
Pitch Scores - Fastball
Hop+
Rise+
Sink+
View Event
Pitch Scores - Slider
75
Hammer+
(07/07/20)
86
Sweep+
(07/07/20)
Pitch Scores - Slider
Hammer+
Sweep+
View Event

Scouting Report

7/07/20

The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Indiana recruit topped 92.6 mph, per TrackMan, with an average spin rate of 2,062 rpm. Looked strong and confident on the bump with good feel. Some effort to his delivery with good arm action and full path to a high three-quarter slot. Somewhat hesitant delivery, will need to smooth out for greater fluidity and repeatability. Also showed a sharp, tight, plus-grade slider at 78-79 mph, spinning around 2,200 rpm. Good arm speed and control of average 79-80 mph circle changeup. Some fade with 1,600 spin rate. Future three-pitch weekend starter at the collegiate level with a chance to be considered in the top three rounds this June when healthy.

8/18/19
Verbally committed to Indiana.

2/17/19

6-foot-4,195-pound right-handed pitcher, daunting frame, athletic actions, projects. Present feel for the dirt circle. Pitches with tempo, short side step into a sturdy balance, toe lifted, extends in-line to home, high front side, foot strikes square, leg swings over body at finish. Arm plays long on back side, super quick and loose out front, high ¾ slot, rhythm throughout. Repertoire is advanced for classification, all in the zone. Fastball had late run and sink, heavy and firm, sat 86-88 mph. Slider, sharp and tight 10/4 shape, shorter break, 76-78 mph. Changeup, lower slot, arm side run and fade, 74-76 mph.


Videos

(7/7/20)

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