Ben
Hess

Cape Cod: The right-hander continued to build momentum for what looks like the early rounds of the draft in 2024. Making just three starts this summer, Hess has an imposing frame at 6-foot-5, 220 pounds and a polished delivery. He will pitch at 92-93 with his fastball and is able to reach back for more when he needs it. He also mixes in a quality mid-80s changeup and two breaking balls. Hess struck out 15 to go along with a 1.63 ERA in 11 innings pitched.

Verbally committed to Alabama.

Decommitted from Indiana.

Indiana commit, currently ranked No. 1 in Illinois and No. 133 overall. Is coming off a pars fracture in his back and looked to be 100% in a recent 40-pitch bullpen with live at-bats mixed in. His 6-foot-5, 215-pound frame continues to lengthen out and looks even more impressive since our last look. Showed a well above-average four-pitch mix throughout. Fluid tall and fall delivery, repeatable, on-line and lands front toe slightly closed. Free-flowing, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot, ultra-quick out front. Fastball which sat mostly 93-95 mph throughout, plays with life, late arm-side-run and occasional sink. Control over command in this showing. Ability to get carry with his fastball at times at the top of the zone at times. Curveball, 75-77 mph (2480-2495 rpm) flashed swing-and-miss action; thrown aggressively, sharp, late action off an 11/5 plane; has a chance to be a swing-and-miss offering at the next level.  Slider is thrown with same intent, feel, 10/4 shape and late, sharp action, 80-82 mph, 2200-2345 rpm. Changeup is thrown with fastball arm speed, intent to locate at the bottom of the zone and flashed plus sink and fade at times; 83-85 mph. 

We also got a look at Hess about two weeks later in his final start of the spring season for Charleston. Here is a report from Tad Slowik:

+ RHP Ben Hess (Charleston HS, IL) was a standout at the Midwest ProCase last summer, but an injury held him back from pitching elsewhere. He’s back on the mound and that upside hasn’t gone anywhere. The ball comes out of his hand well, ranging from 89-93 with late tail and sink in a game last week. The slider is sharp and late at 80-82 while the curveball is 75-76 with good spin and downer action. He throws a changeup with good arm speed, showing deception and sink on the pitch. He has a strong, durable frame and the ability to repeat his delivery.

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.

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.

10.21.18 - 6-foot-4, 215-pound, right-handed pitcher; extra-large, wide-shouldered, durable, workhorse type frame. Compact, hybrid delivery, works with rhythm, rides front hip down the mound, works slightly across his body, lands closed with effort throughout. Long, loose, quick arm action out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball, jumps out of the hand at times, late running action, sat 83-85 mph. Slider, thrown aggressively, 10/4 shape, tight spin, 73-75 mph. Changeup, potential plus offering, maintains arm speed, feel for the zone, fade action, 74-76 mph. High-follow 2021 pitching prospect.

7.23.18 - 6-foot-3, 195-pound right-handed pitcher, large build. Easy delivery that repeats, compact balance point, keeps simple and falls down the hill, first base side finish. Arm action is loose and clean, high ¾ slot, flashed easy life out front. Fastball has some run to arm side, sinking action when down, occasionally misses up, touched 84 mph, sat 80-83 mph. Curveball played 66-72 mph. Changeup has fade action, occasional decel and lower slot, 71-73 mph.

1.27.18 - 6-foot-2, 195-pound, two-way prospect with a strong lower half. Emerged as a high-follow 2021 right-handed pitcher. On the mound, smooth, repeatable delivery, stays on-line and lands closed. Highly-projectable arm action; long, loose and quick out of a high ¾ window. Fastball jumps out of hand, slight arm-side-run, thrown for strikes; sat 81-83 mph, touched 84. Lowers his arm slot on both offspeed offerings. Slider, feel, 11/5 shape, some depth, 65-67 mph. Changeup thrown for strikes, occasional fade and sink; 64-69 mph. At the plate, tall, open setup, smooth load, leg-lift timing trigger and fluid rhythm. Hands get separation on load, loose hands, uphill bat path and gap-to-gap approach. 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, at first base, soft hands, athletic arm action, feel around the bag. Throws were accurate, carry across the diamond and topped at 82 mph. 8.52 runner in the 60.

12/28/16- 5-foot-9, 165-pound right-handed hitting RHP/1B. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery with regular effort. Smooth rhythm working in line with home plate. Fastball sat 71-72 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape with some depth at 57-58 mph for strikes. Changeup sat 62-63 mph. At the plate hits from a balanced, open setup with a long leg kicks stride and arm bar load. Uphill path with good balance and a fast bat. 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. 5.01 runner down the line. Defensively has a long arm action from an over the top slot. Fluid footwork with a clean exchange. Throws showed carry across the infield at 73 mph.