Hayden Dunhurst Stats & Scouting Report

AB	111
AVG	.18
OBP	.27
SLG	.315
HR	2

Full name Hayden Lane Dunhurst
Born 09/19/2000 in Slidell, LA
Profile Ht.: 5'8" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Mississippi
Drafted in the 6th round (175th overall) by the Kansas City Royals in 2022 (signed for $300,000).

View Draft Report

Coming out of high school, Dunhust was viewed as one of the most polished defensive catchers in that year’s prep class. In three years at Ole Miss, he’s lived up to those expectations. He’s proven to be a leader behind the plate and he has an exceptionally quick transfer which allows him to post 1.8-second pop times. You wouldn’t know it from his 26% caught stealing percentage, but his pitchers did him few favors. Texas A&M went 9-for-9 on stolen bases in a series where, between large jumps and balls in the dirt, Dunhurst was only able to make one throw. Dunhurst is a quiet receiver who does a good job of framing low pitches and pitches on the black of the plate. He’s an agile blocker as well. Dunhurst’s defense ensures he’ll have a lengthy pro career and should provide a path to the majors—but he’ll have to improve significantly as a hitter if he’s going to have a lengthy MLB career. Dunhurst gets his weight transferred onto his front foot and opens up too early at times. It’s a pull-heavy approach that limits the amount of contact he makes, but his below-average power means it doesn’t lead to a lot of damage either. Dunhurst does work counts and takes walks, but he will need to tweak his swing and approach. A team believing there’s more in his bat could get a steal.

Top Rankings

Draft Prospects

School: Mississippi Committed/Drafted: Rockies ’19 (37)
Age At Draft: 21.8
BA Grade: 40/High
Scouting Grades: Hit: 30 | Power: 30 | Run: 30 | Field: 60 | Arm: 70
Coming out of high school, Dunhust was viewed as one of the most polished defensive catchers in that year’s prep class. In three years at Ole Miss, he’s lived up to those expectations. He’s proven to be a leader behind the plate and he has an exceptionally quick transfer which allows him to post 1.8-second pop times. You wouldn’t know it from his 26% caught stealing percentage, but his pitchers did him few favors. Texas A&M went 9-for-9 on stolen bases in a series where, between large jumps and balls in the dirt, Dunhurst was only able to make one throw. Dunhurst is a quiet receiver who does a good job of framing low pitches and pitches on the black of the plate. He’s an agile blocker as well. Dunhurst’s defense ensures he’ll have a lengthy pro career and should provide a path to the majors—but he’ll have to improve significantly as a hitter if he’s going to have a lengthy MLB career. Dunhurst gets his weight transferred onto his front foot and opens up too early at times. It’s a pull-heavy approach that limits the amount of contact he makes, but his below-average power means it doesn’t lead to a lot of damage either. Dunhurst does work counts and takes walks, but he will need to tweak his swing and approach. A team believing there’s more in his bat could get a steal.
Dunhurst is one of the better hitting prospects among the Mississippi high school class, and after slimming down this spring he has a better shot to remain at catcher. His lefthanded bat gives him a chance to be a solid pro even if he moves off the position, as he shows plus power and plus hitting potential. He uses the whole field, and his power allows him to drive the ball to the opposite-field gap. He didn't get much of a chance to show that power this spring as many teams opted to simply intentionally walk him time after time. Defensively, his footwork and actions will require a lot of work in pro ball, but he does show a plus arm. However, that arm strength doesn't always play in games because of his footwork, and he currently projects as a below-average defensive catcher. Dunhurst's bat can sustain a move to first base one day, but if he can figure out a way to play just average defense behind the plate, his power potential could make him a valuable pro. Dunhurst is committed to Mississippi.

Scouting Reports

BA Grade: 40/High

August Update: Coming out of high school, Dunhust was viewed as one of the most polished defensive catchers in that year&#39s prep class. In three years at Ole Miss, he&#39s lived up to those expectations. He&#39s proven to be a leader behind the plate and he has an exceptionally quick transfer which allows him to post 1.8-second pop times. You wouldn&#39t know it from his 26% caught stealing percentage, but his pitchers did him few favors. Texas A&M went 9-for-9 on stolen bases in a series where, between large jumps and balls in the dirt, Dunhurst was only able to make one throw. Dunhurst is a quiet receiver who does a good job of framing low pitches and pitches on the black of the plate. He&#39s an agile blocker as well. Dunhurst&#39s defense ensures he&#39ll have a lengthy pro career and should provide a path to the majors—but he&#39ll have to improve significantly as a hitter if he&#39s going to have a lengthy MLB career. Dunhurst gets his weight transferred onto his front foot and opens up too early at times. It&#39s a pull-heavy approach that limits the amount of contact he makes, but his below-average power means it doesn&#39t lead to a lot of damage either. Dunhurst does work counts and takes walks, but he will need to tweak his swing and approach.
Dunhurst is one of the better hitting prospects among the Mississippi high school class, and after slimming down this spring he has a better shot to remain at catcher. His lefthanded bat gives him a chance to be a solid pro even if he moves off the position, as he shows plus power and plus hitting potential. He uses the whole field, and his power allows him to drive the ball to the opposite-field gap. He didn't get much of a chance to show that power this spring as many teams opted to simply intentionally walk him time after time. Defensively, his footwork and actions will require a lot of work in pro ball, but he does show a plus arm. However, that arm strength doesn't always play in games because of his footwork, and he currently projects as a below-average defensive catcher. Dunhurst's bat can sustain a move to first base one day, but if he can figure out a way to play just average defense behind the plate, his power potential could make him a valuable pro. Dunhurst is committed to Mississippi.