Matt Hobgood
| IP | 203 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 5.099 |
| WHIP | 1.517 |
| BB/9 | 4.433 |
| SO/9 | 5.985 |
- Full name Matt Micah Hobgood
- Born 08/03/1990 in Glendale, AZ
- Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 245 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Norco
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Drafted in the 1st round (5th overall) by the Baltimore Orioles in 2009 (signed for $2,422,000).
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Hobgood first gained attention in Southern California when he outdueled Gerrit Cole (who went on to be a first-round pick) in a high school playoff game in 2008. That made him the local player of the year as a junior, beating out first-round picks such as Cole, Kyle Skipworth and Aaron Hicks. A 6-foot-4 245-pounder, Hobgood resembles a young Goose Gossage. He has tremendous power at the plate, but he realizes his future is on the mound. His raw stuff is electric, with a fastball ranging from 90-94 mph and peaking at 95. He maintains his velocity deep into games, and in a March start he was firing four-seamers at 92-94 mph in the fifth inning. His curveball shows sharp, late break, and he also has shown a changeup and slider. All three show promise, but his command is spotty and he'll need to develop and sharpen each one. Hobgood's mechanics are cleaner than most high school pitching prospects, though he still needs refinement. If his terrific stuff combined with a more projectable build, he would probably be drafted even higher, but as it stands he should go no later than the second or third round.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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It would be harder to have a less auspicious full-season debut than Hobgood had, after the Orioles made him the No. 5 overall pick and the first high school pitcher selected in the 2009 draft. He signed for a slightly belowslot bonus of $2.422 million. Hobgood came to spring training last year out of shape and never showed the stuff he had the previous spring, when he dominated prep competition with a mid-90s fastball with sink. At times his fastball sat at 87-89 mph, and he showed a slurvy breaking ball and poor command. He was overweight and had mild tendinitis in his shoulder, so the Orioles shut him down for a few weeks in June and again in August as a precaution. At his best, Hobgood will have a low-90s fastball and an above-average curveball with tight break. His changeup is a work in progress, as he slows his arm when he throws it, but he does throw it for strikes. He needs to work on his command and establish his fastball first. Baltimore doesn't question Hobgood's work ethic and just thinks he needs to learn how to take better care of himself. To that end, they sent him to Athletes' Performance in California to get in better shape. Hobgood will get a do-over for 2010, but it will be important for him to come out of the gates strong from the beginning of spring training this year. -
The Orioles surprised some people when they made Hobgood the first high school pitcher drafted last June, taking him No. 5 overall. Most clubs rated him as a mid-firstround talent and he signed quickly for a slightly below-slot $2.422 million, but Baltimore insists he was the player it liked best. He began his pro career in the Rookie-level Appalachian League and finished as the league's No. 4 prospect. Hobgood is a big, burly power pitcher who has drawn physical comparisons to Goose Gossage and Curt Schilling. He was a two-way player in high school with plus power in his bat. With a 90-96 mph fastball, backed by a curveball and changeup that also could become plus pitches, his future clearly was on the mound. His frame and clean, repeatable mechanics should bode well for his durability. Hobgood still needs to refine his secondary pitches and command. His body is already mature, so there's not a lot of projection left. He topped out at 91 mph in instructional league, but the Orioles say he was just tired. It may take Hobgood some time to refine his arsenal, but the raw stuff is there. He'll get a chance to win a spot in the low Class A Delmarva rotation in spring training, though he could open the year in extended spring
Minor League Top Prospects
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The fifth overall selection in the 2009 draft, he signed for $2.442 million after starring as a two-way player for Norco (Calif.) High. Hobgood debuted in the Appy League, where he reminded one league manager of Curt Schilling with his burly 6-foot-4, 245-pound build. As it did with Schilling, it may take Hobgood a while to harness his quality raw stuff. Hobgood muscles up on his heavy fastball, which ranges from 90-95 mph, but more than one opposing manager noted his struggle to locate the pitch. The same was true with his high-70s curveball and changeup. His entire arsenal flashed plus potential, even with present erratic command. With a mature body already, Hobgood probably throws as hard now as he ever will. His clean, repeatable mechanics do lend hope, however, that he'll iron out his command. If he does, he has the potential to be a No. 2 starter.
