Robert Hipwell Stats & Scouting Report

AB	107
AVG	.196
OBP	.36
SLG	.402
HR	5

Full name Robert Hipwell
Born 03/06/2003 in Santa Cruz, CA
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 215 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Santa Clara
Drafted in the 6th round (178th overall) by the San Francisco Giants in 2024 (signed for $345,700).

View Draft Report

School: Santa Clara
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.4
BA Grade: 45/High
Tools: Hit: 45. Power: 50. Run: 40. Field: 45. Arm: 55.

Hipwell is a 6-foot-3, 217-pound third baseman and lefthanded hitter who played a handful of games as a freshman in 2022 before exploding in 2023 with a .326/.497/.701 line including 14 home runs and a 22.7% walk rate. His 2024 season was delayed after he missed half the year with a suspension and in the 18 games he did play he hit .273 /.442/.515 with three home runs and the same impressive walk rates. Despite Hipwell’s lack of playing time this spring, he was crosschecked and scouted heavily both last fall and when he returned to action thanks to his enticing power and patience combo from the left side. Hipwell employs a crouched stance in the box with his weight shifted back onto his left leg, but he swings with plenty of bat speed and an uphill path that should lead to plenty of pull-side power. Hipwell has played mostly third base in college, though he has gotten playing time at first base and the outfield as well. Scouts think he will do enough for a chance to stick at third where he has above-average arm strength and fair hands. After the 2024 season Hipwell played in the MLB Draft League to make up for missed at-bats during the spring.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade/Risk: 45/High.

Track Record: Hipwell played sparingly as a freshman at Santa Clara before exploding in a sophomore season that culminated in a .329/.500/.706 line with 14 home runs. He missed most of his draft year with a suspension and played just 18 games as a result. He got a few more reps under his belt in the MLB Draft League, where he hit five home runs in 21 games. The Giants selected Hipwell in the sixth round, signed him for $345,700 and sent him to Low-A for his pro debut.

Scouting Report: The Giants have never shied away from players with shorter track records in their draft years, instead relying on a prospect’s entire amateur career. Hipwell fits the bill, and San Francisco was drawn in by his potential for lefthanded power. He has plenty of bat speed and an uphill path, leaving enough holes in his swing to project for fringe-average hitting ability at best. He spent most of his time at third base at Santa Clara, though he was exposed to first base and the outfield as well. He is a fringe-average defender with the above-average arm strength requisite for the hot corner, and the Giants admit first base might be a possibility one day.

The Future: In the early days of his career, Hipwell chased and missed more than the Giants expected. If he can get better in those departments and shore up his defense at third base, he has a chance to be a second-division regular. If he moves to first base, there will be more pressure on his bat.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 40 | Field: 45 | Arm: 55.

Draft Prospects

School: Santa Clara Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.4
BA Grade: 45/High
Tools: Hit: 45. Power: 50. Run: 40. Field: 45. Arm: 55.

Hipwell is a 6-foot-3, 217-pound third baseman and lefthanded hitter who played a handful of games as a freshman in 2022 before exploding in 2023 with a .326/.497/.701 line including 14 home runs and a 22.7% walk rate. His 2024 season was delayed after he missed half the year with a suspension and in the 18 games he did play he hit .273 /.442/.515 with three home runs and the same impressive walk rates. Despite Hipwell’s lack of playing time this spring, he was crosschecked and scouted heavily both last fall and when he returned to action thanks to his enticing power and patience combo from the left side. Hipwell employs a crouched stance in the box with his weight shifted back onto his left leg, but he swings with plenty of bat speed and an uphill path that should lead to plenty of pull-side power. Hipwell has played mostly third base in college, though he has gotten playing time at first base and the outfield as well. Scouts think he will do enough for a chance to stick at third where he has above-average arm strength and fair hands. After the 2024 season Hipwell played in the MLB Draft League to make up for missed at-bats during the spring.