Bryan Hudson Stats & Scouting Report

IP	62.1
ERA	1.73
WHIP	.72
BB/9	2.45
SO/9	8.95

Full name Bryan Michael Hudson
Born 05/08/1997 in Godfrey, IL
Profile Ht.: 6'8" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: L / Throws: L
School Alton
Drafted in the 3rd round (82nd overall) by the Chicago Cubs in 2015 (signed for $1,100,000).

View Draft Report

Hudson was the Midwest's popup player, for though he was on scouts' radars, he was not expected to take a leap up draft boards as he had this spring. A Missouri recruit, Hudson had done little nationally in terms of showcases aside from pitching in Jupiter at the World Wood Bat event, and at 6-foot-8, 220 pounds, he starred as a center for his high school basketball team. He's learned to leverage his size and has the body control to repeat his delivery, gaining confidence as the spring progressed. Hudson's calling card is his hard breaking ball, a curveball that scrapes the low 80s. His arm action is clean and he throws plenty of strikes, especially for a tall pitcher, with a fastball consistently in the upper 80s that reaches 92-93 mph consistently. Hudson doesn't throw a changeup yet, as he has dominated prep competition with just two pitches. Tanner Houck pitched in the same conference last year and got to Missouri, but scouts don't want to let Hudson get away, and he had plenty of helium as the draft approached.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Hudson was raw when the Cubs signed him for $1.1 million in 2015 as the 82nd overall pick, but he made significant strides in 2017 and has evolved considerably as a pro. Hudson flashed one of the better breaking balls in the 2015 draft class, a low-80s power curveball that, along with his projectable 6-foot-8 frame, prompted the Cubs to buy him out of his Missouri commitment. Hudson's gains as a pro started with stepping back to focus on fundamentals--fitness, a functional delivery and his fastball. His work ethic has improved as he's adapted to the rigors of pro ball, giving him the strength to stay tall in his delivery and drive the ball downhill. He used his angle to pitch off his 89-90 mph fastball in 2017, producing an extreme groundball rate, with more than three ground outs for every air out, and finished well, going 8-1, 3.69 in his last 13 starts. Hudson's curveball and changeup lack consistency at this point because he's focused so much on commanding his fastball. He's spun the curveball and has flashed 94-95 mph velocity in the past. If Hudson can recapture his curve and improve the consistency of his velocity, he'll have two plus weapons to attack hitters, profiling as a mid-rotation starter. He's headed to high Class A in 2018.
The Cubs' hunt for homegrown pitching has hit some bumps, and the 6-foot-8 Hudson hit his share in 2016. He jumped from extended spring training, where he pitched well, to short-season Eugene after just five outings in Rookie ball in 2015, and it was a rough landing. The Cubs fell in love with Hudson's size and plus curveball in the draft, signing him for $1 million. His curve backed up in the Northwest League, where at times it seemed he was pushing the ball, but he found better feel for it in instructional league. He competed with a fastball that backed up into the mid-80s at times as well, though in the past he hit 93 mph. Hudson pitched downhill at times and got plenty of groundball outs. He made progress with his changeup but struggled overall to repeat his delivery and walked as many as he struck out. Tall pitchers often bloom later, and the Cubs may have to push Hudson back to extended spring in 2017.
Hudson hails from Alton, Ill., which was the home of the world's tallest man, 8-foot-11 Robert Wadlow (who died in 1940). Hudson checks in at a healthy 6-foot-8, and the Cubs hope he won't get much bigger. He's athletic enough to have played center for his high school basketball team, though he's no fast-twitch athlete, and came to pro ball after signing for $1.1 million as a 2015 third-rounder, keeping him away from a Missouri commitment. Hudson has solid body control and arm strength, having touched 93 mph with his fastball and sitting in the upper 80s. His calling card is a hard curveball that could be a doubleplus pitch eventually. It's a 60-grade pitch already, tight with good spin and thrown with power in the 80-82 mph range consistently. Moreover, he commands it well for any age, not to mention a tall teenager. Hudson's changeup is far behind his other two pitches and he has polish to add in terms of refining his delivery and locating his fastball. Dylan Cease ($1.5 million) is the only pitcher the current Cubs administration has given more money in the draft. The Cubs probably will be cautious with Hudson's innings in 2016, his first full pro season, but he should pitch his way to low Class A South Bend at some point. He has front-of-the-rotation potential with a future plus fastball and double-plus curve.

Draft Prospects

Hudson was the Midwest's popup player, for though he was on scouts' radars, he was not expected to take a leap up draft boards as he had this spring. A Missouri recruit, Hudson had done little nationally in terms of showcases aside from pitching in Jupiter at the World Wood Bat event, and at 6-foot-8, 220 pounds, he starred as a center for his high school basketball team. He's learned to leverage his size and has the body control to repeat his delivery, gaining confidence as the spring progressed. Hudson's calling card is his hard breaking ball, a curveball that scrapes the low 80s. His arm action is clean and he throws plenty of strikes, especially for a tall pitcher, with a fastball consistently in the upper 80s that reaches 92-93 mph consistently. Hudson doesn't throw a changeup yet, as he has dominated prep competition with just two pitches. Tanner Houck pitched in the same conference last year and got to Missouri, but scouts don't want to let Hudson get away, and he had plenty of helium as the draft approached.

Career Transactions

Milwaukee Brewers activated LHP Bryan Hudson.
Milwaukee Brewers recalled LHP Bryan Hudson from Nashville Sounds.
Milwaukee Brewers optioned LHP Bryan Hudson to Nashville Sounds.
Milwaukee Brewers activated LHP Bryan Hudson from the 15-day injured list.
Milwaukee Brewers sent LHP Bryan Hudson on a rehab assignment to Nashville Sounds.
Milwaukee Brewers placed LHP Bryan Hudson on the 15-day injured list retroactive to July 24, 2024. Left oblique strain.
Los Angeles Dodgers recalled LHP Bryan Hudson from Oklahoma City Dodgers.
Los Angeles Dodgers recalled LHP Bryan Hudson from Oklahoma City Dodgers.
Oklahoma City Dodgers activated LHP Bryan Hudson.
Los Angeles Dodgers optioned LHP Bryan Hudson to Oklahoma City Dodgers.
Los Angeles Dodgers optioned LHP Bryan Hudson to Oklahoma City Dodgers.
Los Angeles Dodgers recalled LHP Bryan Hudson from Oklahoma City Dodgers.
Los Angeles Dodgers recalled LHP Bryan Hudson from Oklahoma City Dodgers.
Los Angeles Dodgers optioned LHP Bryan Hudson to Oklahoma City Dodgers.
Los Angeles Dodgers optioned LHP Bryan Hudson to Oklahoma City Dodgers.
Los Angeles Dodgers selected the contract of LHP Bryan Hudson from Oklahoma City Dodgers.
Los Angeles Dodgers selected the contract of LHP Bryan Hudson from Oklahoma City Dodgers.