- Full name Justin K. Hoyman
- Born 04/17/1982 in Rockledge, FL
- Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 195 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Florida
- Drafted in the 2nd round (47th overall) by the Cleveland Guardians in 2004.
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Organization Prospect Rankings
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Though he's a pitcher, Hoyman is one of the best natural athletes in the system. He was a standout soccer player at Cocoa (Fla.) High, and he also punted for the football team before an opponent broke the femur in his right leg trying to block one of his kicks. The injury stunted the growth plates in his right leg, leaving it shorter than his left leg and leading to back problems while he was at Florida. Hoyman, who now wears inserts in his right shoe, was a second-round pick in 2004, making him the highest Gator selected since Brad Wilkerson was a first-rounder in 1998. Hoyman has pitched very well as a pro, but he has worked just 61 innings because he strained an elbow ligament and was shut down last May. He works consistently down in the zone with a sinking 89-92 mph fastball. While he topped out at 95 in college, he hadn't approached that number prior to his injury. Hoyman also throws a slurvy breaking ball and a deceptive changeup. He works fast and holds runners well. He pitched in instructional league after his elbow inflammation subsided and should be fully healthy for 2006. He has shown enough to advance to high Class A. -
A 43rd-round pick by the Rockies out of Brevard (Fla.) Community College in 2002, Hoyman declined to sign as a draft-and-follow and instead went to Florida, where he became the Gators' highest pick since the Expos took Brad Wilkerson in 1998's first round. A former soccer standout in high school, Hoyman oozes athleticism. He commands the ball down in the zone with a sinking 89-92 mph fastball that topped out at 95 last spring. While he primarily throws his hard sinker, Hoyman also operates with a slurvy breaking ball and a deceptive changeup. He needs to improve his secondary stuff, especially his changeup. Hoyman has excellent lower body strength after adding 20 pounds last year, and has put 50 pounds on his frame since graduating from high school as a wiry 6-foot-3, 145-pounder. He does an effective job of controlling the running game because he's quick to the plate and has a good pickoff move. Tribe officials have likened Hoyman to Aaron Sele and Charles Nagy, and they think he could develop just as rapidly. They'll skip him a level and start him in high Class A this year.