Drafted in the 40th round (1,179th overall) by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2003.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
Hinton was the Brewers' most significant draft-and-follow from 2003 and signed the next spring for $90,000. His father Rich pitched for five big league clubs over six journeyman big league seasons. Tabbed as a reliever for much of his career, Robert ended 2006 in the high Class A rotation. He opened eyes throughout the season by improving his fastball command. Hinton throws two fastballs--a four-seamer anywhere from 89-93 mph and an 87-90 mph two-seamer with sink. His hard slider, which sits in the mid-80s, grades out as a plus pitch, and at times has sharp, late break. He pitches inside aggressively with his fastball and slider to lefthanders and actually handled them better than righties last season. He needs to learn to spot his fastball better to all quadrants of the zone and to work the outside corner better, away from righthanders' power. He continued to work on fastball command and a changeup during a stellar stint in Hawaii Winter Baseball. Hinton may have a middle reliever's profile, but he's good in that role and is poised to jump to Double-A.
Best Tools List
Rated Best Slider in the Milwaukee Brewers in 2011
Rated Best Slider in the Milwaukee Brewers in 2008
Rated Best Slider in the Milwaukee Brewers in 2007
Download our app
Read the newest magazine issue right on your phone