Drafted in the 4th round (112th overall) by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2023 (signed for $1,200,000).
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School: Alabama Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted Age At Draft: 21.6 BA Grade:50/Extreme Tools:Fastball: 55. Slider: 55. Curveball: 50. Changeup: 40. Cutter: 55. Control: 35.
Hitt was a high school casualty of the Covid-shortened 2020 season. He was on a helium trajectory before the season was shut down thanks to upping his fastball velocity from the high 80s to the low 90s, but he wasn’t seen frequently enough to be selected in the five-round draft, and instead headed to Alabama. He earned a lot of scouting attention during the 2022 fall after a velocity jump, but struggled heavily with his control during the 2023 season. He posted a 4.19 ERA in eight starts and 38.2 innings with a 29% strikeout rate and 14.8% walk rate before an elbow injury and Tommy John surgery ended his season. Hitt has a lean frame at 6-foot-3, 195 pounds and throws with an easy arm action but finishes slightly closed off, which hurts his direction at times and creates a jarring fall-off to the third base side. He also had a tendency to have his hand in a less than optimal position at foot strike, which some scouts thought could add strain to his elbow. Pre-injury, Hitt pitched at 92 and touched 96 with his fastball, and mixed in a low-80s slider, mid-70s curveball and upper-80s cutter. He’s spun the baseball well dating back to high school and manipulates his breaking stuff well, and has also infrequently used a low-80s changeup. Hitt has impressive stuff, but has control and now health concerns.
Top Rankings
Draft Prospects
School: Alabama Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted Age At Draft: 21.6 BA Grade:50/Extreme Tools:Fastball: 55. Slider: 55. Curveball: 50. Changeup: 40. Cutter: 55. Control: 35.
Hitt was a high school casualty of the Covid-shortened 2020 season. He was on a helium trajectory before the season was shut down thanks to upping his fastball velocity from the high 80s to the low 90s, but he wasn’t seen frequently enough to be selected in the five-round draft, and instead headed to Alabama. He earned a lot of scouting attention during the 2022 fall after a velocity jump, but struggled heavily with his control during the 2023 season. He posted a 4.19 ERA in eight starts and 38.2 innings with a 29% strikeout rate and 14.8% walk rate before an elbow injury and Tommy John surgery ended his season. Hitt has a lean frame at 6-foot-3, 195 pounds and throws with an easy arm action but finishes slightly closed off, which hurts his direction at times and creates a jarring fall-off to the third base side. He also had a tendency to have his hand in a less than optimal position at foot strike, which some scouts thought could add strain to his elbow. Pre-injury, Hitt pitched at 92 and touched 96 with his fastball, and mixed in a low-80s slider, mid-70s curveball and upper-80s cutter. He’s spun the baseball well dating back to high school and manipulates his breaking stuff well, and has also infrequently used a low-80s changeup. Hitt has impressive stuff, but has control and now health concerns.
A projectable 6-foot-3, 170-pound lefthander, Hitt was something of a helium prospect early this spring before the shortened 2020 season prevented teams from seeing him. After throwing a fastball in the 87-89 mph range last summer at East Coast Pro, Hitt’s velocity increased to the 89-93 mph range this spring. On top of that he showed an above-average curveball in the mid-to-upper-70s that has solid diving action and shape that varies. While Hitt’s control is below-average at the moment, scouts love his athleticism and the ease to his operation and believe he has plenty of room for refinement and added power thanks to his projectable frame. Also a talented wide receiver, Hitt had 1,101 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns for Houston High last fall. There was a reasonable amount of scouting heat on Hitt early this spring, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him get taken in the top five rounds, but he has an Alabama commitment to fall back on as well.
Career Transactions
ACL D-backs Black placed LHP Grayson Hitt on the 60-day injured list.
Arizona Diamondbacks signed LHP Grayson Hitt.
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