Ben Hess Stats & Scouting Report

IP	9.2
ERA	0
WHIP	.83
BB/9	2.79
SO/9	16.76

Full name Benjamin William Hess
Born 09/03/2002 in Moline, IL
Profile Ht.: 6'5" / Wt.: 215 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Charleston
Drafted in the 1st round (26th overall) by the New York Yankees in 2024 (signed for $2,747,500).

View Draft Report

School: Alabama
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.9
BA Grade: 50/High
Tools: Fastball: 60. Slider: 60. Curveball: 40. Changeup: 50. Control: 45.

Hess is an extra-large righthander with a 6-foot-5, 255-pound frame and big velocity. He pitched in parts of the 2022 and 2023 seasons for Alabama but was limited by injuries before turning in his first fully healthy season in 2024. In 15 starts this year, he posted a 5.80 ERA in 68.1 innings with a 34.8% strikeout rate and 11.5% walk rate. That walk rate was much higher than scouts hoped or expected to see and was particularly an issue as he tried to navigate Southeastern Conference competition. Hess has a fastball that sits around 94 mph and has been up to 98-99 with above-average riding life. He complements it with three different secondary pitches. Hess’ mid-80s slider has traditionally been his go-to breaking ball. When executed properly, the pitch features two-plane break and solid depth, but his location of the offering was inconsistent this spring. Hess also throws a mid-70s curveball with 12-to-6 shape and solid depth and a mid-80s changeup with lots of armside life. Like his slider, Hess’ changeup was another pitch he showed less feel for in 2024 compared to his previous years with Alabama. Hess’ four-pitch mix, strong frame and relatively easy delivery give him a chance to start, though he’ll need to rediscover some of the control that he flashed in previous years to do so.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade/Risk: 50/High.

Track Record: Hess pitched three seasons at Alabama. He was a rotation stalwart nearly from Day One, with just three of his 33 appearances coming out of the bullpen. He pitched in parts of the 2022 and 2023 seasons but was limited by injuries before turning in his first fully-healthy season in 2024. Hess also pitched in the Cape Cod League as a rising sophomore and then for USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team a year later. He ranked as the No. 30 prospect on the Cape. The Yankees took Hess with the 26th overall pick in 2024 and signed him for an underslot bonus of $2,747,500. He did not pitch after signing and will make his pro debut in 2025.

Scouting Report: Hess is a physical, 6-foot-5 righthander with a powerful four-pitch mix that might go through some changes before he is unveiled officially. His fastball typically averages around 94 mph and can get up to 99 with above-average riding life through the zone. He backs his fastball with a mid-80s slider that projects as a 60-grade weapon at its best, a top-down curveball in the mid 70s and a mid-80s changeup with plenty of run. The Yankees’ pitching development team has considered adding a sweeper slider to Hess’ mix, and the righthander has already tinkered with the grip on his changeup to give the pitch more depth. In his final season at Alabama, Hess’ walk rate jumped to 11.5% and his ERA climbed to 5.80. He’ll need to throw more strikes to stick as a potential rotation piece.

The Future: Hess will make his official pro debut in 2025. He has the physique and repertoire to one day pitch in a big league rotation. To do so, he’ll need to limit his walks and see one of his other offspeed pitches join his fastball and slider as a potential weapon.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 40 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 45.

Draft Prospects

School: Alabama Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.9
BA Grade: 50/High
Tools: Fastball: 60. Slider: 60. Curveball: 40. Changeup: 50. Control: 45.

Hess is an extra-large righthander with a 6-foot-5, 255-pound frame and big velocity. He pitched in parts of the 2022 and 2023 seasons for Alabama but was limited by injuries before turning in his first fully healthy season in 2024. In 15 starts this year, he posted a 5.80 ERA in 68.1 innings with a 34.8% strikeout rate and 11.5% walk rate. That walk rate was much higher than scouts hoped or expected to see and was particularly an issue as he tried to navigate Southeastern Conference competition. Hess has a fastball that sits around 94 mph and has been up to 98-99 with above-average riding life. He complements it with three different secondary pitches. Hess’ mid-80s slider has traditionally been his go-to breaking ball. When executed properly, the pitch features two-plane break and solid depth, but his location of the offering was inconsistent this spring. Hess also throws a mid-70s curveball with 12-to-6 shape and solid depth and a mid-80s changeup with lots of armside life. Like his slider, Hess’ changeup was another pitch he showed less feel for in 2024 compared to his previous years with Alabama. Hess’ four-pitch mix, strong frame and relatively easy delivery give him a chance to start, though he’ll need to rediscover some of the control that he flashed in previous years to do so.