Kyrell Hudson Stats & Scouting Report

AB	424
AVG	.21
OBP	.263
SLG	.271
HR	2

Full name Kyrell N. Hudson
Born 12/06/1990 in Portland, OR
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 180 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Evergreen
Drafted in the 3rd round (106th overall) by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2009 (signed for $475,000).

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It's a down year for Washington's high school players, and teams have split opinions on the state's top prep prospect. On pure athleticism, Hudson rates as one of the best in this year's class. He's a lean but strong 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds. His best tool is his speed, as he runs a 6.4-second 60-yard dash and can get from home to first in 4.3 seconds. If he attends Oregon State, he plans to play both baseball and football. The biggest question with Hudson is if he'll hit. He's raw, sometimes looks overmatched against good pitching and struggles to square balls up even in batting practice. There are more non-believers than believers, and as one scout put it, "I've still never seen a guy steal first base." If the bat doesn't develop, his arm is good enough that putting him on the mound could be a fallback option. On top of the questions about Hudson's bat, scouts aren't sure how much he likes baseball. At times he has shown up late to games, or he sits in the dugout while his teammates shag flyballs and doesn't show any fire. One scout witnessed Hudson lollygagging a five-second time to first base on a groundball to the shortstop, with a team's general manager in the stands. Hudson is a definite project, and some scouts wonder if he'll be overwhelmed by the grind of a minor league season.

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Organization Prospect Rankings

Concerns about Hudson's inconsistent effort, makeup and commitment to Oregon State, where he also would have played wide receiver for the football team, drove him down draft boards in 2009. But then-Phillies area scout Tim Kissner (now Mariners director of international operations) followed Hudson closely, and scouting director Marti Wolever saw his athleticism on display in an impressive spring showing. Hudson hadn't played much baseball when he signed for $475,000 as a third-round pick, and his development has been slow. Season-ending surgery last July to repair torn tendons in his right wrist didn't help. Still, Hudson's raw tools make him hard to write off. A plus-plus defender in center field, Hudson could play in the big leagues now defensively. He glides to balls in the gaps and he has the best outfield arm in the system. Though he doesn't get out of the box well, Hudson can fly--he ran a 6.5-second 60-yard dash in spring training--and he's aggressive on the basepaths. A good swing path and bat speed produce power in batting practice, but Hudson lacks feel for hitting and he swings and misses frequently. Even if his bat progresses, Hudson is a longshot to be more than a fourth outfielder. He likely will return to Lakewood to begin 2013.
Hudson's inconsistent effort as a high schooler frustrated some area scouts, but Phillies scouting director Marti Wolever saw him at his best in a game shortly before the 2009 draft, when Hudson homered and made several diving catches. Philadelphia took him in the third round and paid a $475,000 bonus to sign him away from Oregon State, where he would have played baseball and football (as a wide receiver). A tremendous athlete, Hudson struggled offensively in his first two professional seasons, but he held his own in a return to Williamsport. Hudson always has had bat speed and a good swing path, and he started squaring the ball consistently in 2011. He started to show signs of recognizing pitches and improving his plate discipline. Hudson has gap-to-gap power and could hit for average if he learns to bunt. A plus-plus runner underway, he doesn't get out of the box well but his speed plays on the bases, where he's almost arrogantly aggressive. He's a plus-plus defender with great closing ability in center field, and he could play in the big leagues right now defensively. He also has an above-average arm. Hudson has breakout potential and will advance to low Class A this season.
The Phillies have an eye for athletes and the patience to develop them. For every Greg Golson who doesn't work out, they find a Domonic Brown who looks like he will. They targeted Hudson in the third round and signed him for $475,000 in 2009 because they considered him the best athlete in the draft class. He turned down a football scholarship from Oregon State, where he would have played both sports. His speed is his best tool, as he covers 60 yards in 6.4 seconds. He's just as fast as minor league stolen base leader Anthony Gose, and Philadelphia may have them race in spring training. Like Gose, Hudson pitched in high school and has a plus arm in center field. He also has strength in his frame, and he has a chance to hit and hit for power. His tools aren't in question, but area scouts in the Pacific Northwest questioned Hudson's desire and makeup. He was suspended for two football games as a senior for breaking team rules and showed inconsistent effort during the spring. That's why a player with his tools was available with the 106th overall pick. The Phillies hope to channel Hudson's competitiveness in the proper direction and were encouraged by his offensive progress and behavior in instructional league. His spring performance will determine whether he opens 2010 in low Class A or extended spring training.