Sean Hjelle

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked San Francisco Giants #20 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: The Giants drafted Hjelle with their second-round pick in 2018 and watched as he got all the way to Double-A in his first full season as a pro. While most players missed development time in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic, Hjelle’s case was particularly acute because he was at neither the alternate training site nor instructional league.He returned to the mound in 2021 and pitched well at Double-A before running into trouble at Triple-A.
  
  Scouting Report: Hjelle performed admirably in his return despite missing time with back spasms. The towering 6-foot-11 righthander works with a mix of four- and two-seam fastballs that average 93 mph and touch 96. His four-seamer earns plus grades for its horizontal breaking action, but he throws his two-seamer a tick more often. Hjelle backs up his fastballs with a slider and changeup. His short, sweepy slider sits 84-88 mph and serves as an effective complement to his sinker, helping him get grounders nearly 66% of the time. His high-80s changeup is a clear third pitch in his arsenal and has been retooled to turn him into a ground ball machine. Hjelle is uniquely coordinated for his height and has average control. He got blasted in Triple-A because his sinker needs more action to be effective.
  
  The Future: Hjelle was added to the 40-man roster after the season and will begin 2022 back in Triple-A. He has a chance to be a back-of-the-rotation starter who lives on inducing grounders.
  
• 
  Ranked San Francisco Giants #13 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: Hjelle moved from closer to starter between his freshman and sophomore seasons at Kentucky, and ended his draft year with a better than 4-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. The Giants drafted him 45th overall and he raced to Double-A in his first full season, but was not invited to the team's alternate training site in 2020 nor instructional league. Hjelle used the shutdown to complete his college degree.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Hjelle's exceptional coordination and athleticism help him repeat his delivery despite his massive, 6-foot-11 frame. Away from coaches all year, Hjelle instead worked out at home in Richmond with fellow Giants farmhand Matt Winn. The angle created by Hjelle's height and overhand delivery means he doesn't necessarily have to elevate his low-90s fastball to be effective. Even so, the Giants wanted him to work on that this season in order to change hitters' eye levels and then create a tunnel for his 12-to-6 curveball to follow. Hjelle has a potentially average changeup as well.
  
  THE FUTURE: The Giants estimate Hjelle threw as many as 110 simulated innings in 2020. He should start 2021 at one of the upper levels and has a ceiling as a back-end starter.
• 
  Ranked San Francisco Giants #9 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: At Kentucky, Hjelle transitioned from the closer's role as a freshman into the team's Friday starter for his sophomore and junior seasons. There's always a level of uneasiness with extraordinarily tall pitchers, but the Giants believed enough in Hjelle's athleticism to draft him in the second round and sign him for $1.5 million. He moved three levels in his first full season as a pro, from low Class A Augusta all the way to Double-A Richmond.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Hjelle's 6-foot-11 frame isn't the only reason he stands out among Giants pitchers. That height helps him create extreme downhill angle with his fastball, which is why he's one of the only pitchers in the system encouraged to go against the trend of high fastballs tunneled with diving curveballs. The fastball itself sits in the low 90s and can scrape up to 95 mph. He pairs it with an average, 12-to-6 curveball in the low 80s and a potentially average changeup that took great strides in 2019 when he changed the grip from four-seam to two-seam. The alteration helped him create more velocity separation between his fastball and changeup.
  
  THE FUTURE: Hjelle will likely return to Double-A Richmond in 2020 and has the potential to be a No. 4 starter.
• 
  Ranked San Francisco Giants #5 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: Line one with Hjelle is his immense height, standing at a legitimate 6-foot-11. As a freshman at Kentucky, Hjelle served as the team's closer before transitioning to the Friday starter's role fo his sophomore and junior seasons. Hjelle was the Southeastern Conference pitcher of the year in 2017, and he was drafted by the Giants in the second round in 2018. He signed for $1.5 million.
  
  Scouting Report: Hjelle is similar to fellow Giants prospect Shaun Anderson in that he finds success with multiple average-or-better pitches, despite not having a true out pitch. Hjelle has a tick more life on his fastball than Anderson, regularly working in the 92-95 mph range with arm-side run. Hjelle's low-80s curveball has effective 12-to-6 shape that can elicit swings and misses, and his changeup could be an above-average pitch. The lanky righthander obviously has plenty of room to add weight to his 6-foot-11 frame, which could help squeeze out even more fastball velocity. All of Hjelle's pitches play up because of his above-average control, and his track record suggests he's a durable starter who has had major success at every level he's pitched.
  
  The Future: Hjelle will likely begin 2019 in the starting rotation for high Class A San Jose, which should be the most prospect-heavy team in the Giants' system. Assuming good health, Hjelle's ceiling is that of a No. 3 starter, and his floor should not fall below a solid No. 5 starter.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #30 prospect in 2018 draft
  One of the tallest pitchers in any draft class, the 6-foot-11 Hjelle was the Wildcats closer as a freshman and became the team's Friday starter as a sophomore. He earned SEC pitcher of the year honors in 2017 and has been equally effective as a junior. What Hjelle lacks is a true out pitch. Hitters rarely square him up and his fastball has good plane, but he generally sits 90-92 mph, touching 94-95 at his best. It's an above-average pitch because he can locate it and it will sometimes flash arm-side run, but it doesn't generate many swings and misses. At its best, Hjelle's 81-83 mph curveball has plenty of power and 12-to-6 movement when he's staying on top. His 84-85 mph changeup ranges from average to above-average from outing to outing. Some scouts see Hjelle's long and still lanky frame and see further projection. Hjelle has added 20 pounds of good weight in his time at Kentucky and he has touched 97 mph in shorter fall ball outings when well rested. But more realistically, Hjelle projects as a reliable No. 4 starter thanks to his above-average control, three average or better pitches and a track record of durability.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked California League #11 prospect in 2019
  The 6-foot-11 Hjelle stood out for both his size and ability. His ranked sixth in ERA (2.78) and strikeouts (74) during his time in the Cal League before an August promotion to Double-A. Hjelle showed a rare athleticism and coordination for his height more usually seen in basketball players. He repeated his clean, athletic delivery, filled up the strike zone and showed advanced feel to pitch. Hjelle’s fastball sat 92-93 mph and played up with the plane generated from his height, and he supplemented it with an average curveball. His plus changeup was voted the league’s best by opposing managers. "It looks like the fastball and then it’s gone,” Visalia manager Shawn Roof said. "Good action, good fade and good arm speed. Being 6-11, the movement and the depth, that’s what made it tough.” With his strike-throwing ability and pitchability, Hjelle projects as a mid- to back-of-the-rotation starter.

• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 40/High
  
  Track Record: The Giants drafted Hjelle with their second-round pick in 2018 and watched as he got all the way to Double-A in his first full season as a pro. While most players missed development time in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic, Hjelle&#39s case was particularly acute because he was at neither the alternate training site nor instructional league.He returned to the mound in 2021 and pitched well at Double-A before running into trouble at Triple-A.
  
  Scouting Report: Hjelle performed admirably in his return despite missing time with back spasms. The towering 6-foot-11 righthander works with a mix of four- and two-seam fastballs that average 93 mph and touch 96. His four-seamer earns plus grades for its horizontal breaking action, but he throws his two-seamer a tick more often. Hjelle backs up his fastballs with a slider and changeup. His short, sweepy slider sits 84-88 mph and serves as an effective complement to his sinker, helping him get grounders nearly 66% of the time. His high-80s changeup is a clear third pitch in his arsenal and has been retooled to turn him into a ground ball machine. Hjelle is uniquely coordinated for his height and has average control. He got blasted in Triple-A because his sinker needs more action to be effective.
  
  The Future: Hjelle was added to the 40-man roster after the season and will begin 2022 back in Triple-A. He has a chance to be a back-of-the-rotation starter who lives on inducing grounders.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: The Giants drafted Hjelle with their second-round pick in 2018 and watched as he got all the way to Double-A in his first full season as a pro. While most players missed development time in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic, Hjelle’s case was particularly acute because he was at neither the alternate training site nor instructional league.He returned to the mound in 2021 and pitched well at Double-A before running into trouble at Triple-A.
  
  Scouting Report: Hjelle performed admirably in his return despite missing time with back spasms. The towering 6-foot-11 righthander works with a mix of four- and two-seam fastballs that average 93 mph and touch 96. His four-seamer earns plus grades for its horizontal breaking action, but he throws his two-seamer a tick more often. Hjelle backs up his fastballs with a slider and changeup. His short, sweepy slider sits 84-88 mph and serves as an effective complement to his sinker, helping him get grounders nearly 66% of the time. His high-80s changeup is a clear third pitch in his arsenal and has been retooled to turn him into a ground ball machine. Hjelle is uniquely coordinated for his height and has average control. He got blasted in Triple-A because his sinker needs more action to be effective.
  
  The Future: Hjelle was added to the 40-man roster after the season and will begin 2022 back in Triple-A. He has a chance to be a back-of-the-rotation starter who lives on inducing grounders.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Hjelle moved from closer to starter between his freshman and sophomore seasons at Kentucky, and ended his draft year with a better than 4-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. The Giants drafted him 45th overall and he raced to Double-A in his first full season, but was not invited to the team's alternate training site in 2020 nor instructional league. Hjelle used the shutdown to complete his college degree.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Hjelle's exceptional coordination and athleticism help him repeat his delivery despite his massive, 6-foot-11 frame. Away from coaches all year, Hjelle instead worked out at home in Richmond with fellow Giants farmhand Matt Winn. The angle created by Hjelle's height and overhand delivery means he doesn't necessarily have to elevate his low-90s fastball to be effective. Even so, the Giants wanted him to work on that this season in order to change hitters' eye levels and then create a tunnel for his 12-to-6 curveball to follow. Hjelle has a potentially average changeup as well.
  
  THE FUTURE: The Giants estimate Hjelle threw as many as 110 simulated innings in 2020. He should start 2021 at one of the upper levels and has a ceiling as a back-end starter.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Hjelle moved from closer to starter between his freshman and sophomore seasons at Kentucky, and ended his draft year with a better than 4-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. The Giants drafted him 45th overall and he raced to Double-A in his first full season, but was not invited to the team's alternate training site in 2020 nor instructional league. Hjelle used the shutdown to complete his college degree.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Hjelle's exceptional coordination and athleticism help him repeat his delivery despite his massive, 6-foot-11 frame. Away from coaches all year, Hjelle instead worked out at home in Richmond with fellow Giants farmhand Matt Winn. The angle created by Hjelle's height and overhand delivery means he doesn't necessarily have to elevate his low-90s fastball to be effective. Even so, the Giants wanted him to work on that this season in order to change hitters' eye levels and then create a tunnel for his 12-to-6 curveball to follow. Hjelle has a potentially average changeup as well.
  
  THE FUTURE: The Giants estimate Hjelle threw as many as 110 simulated innings in 2020. He should start 2021 at one of the upper levels and has a ceiling as a back-end starter.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Hjelle moved from closer to starter between his freshman and sophomore seasons at Kentucky, and ended his draft year with a better than 4-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. The Giants drafted him 45th overall and he raced to Double-A in his first full season, but was not invited to the team's alternate training site in 2020 nor instructional league. Hjelle used the shutdown to complete his college degree.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Hjelle's exceptional coordination and athleticism help him repeat his delivery despite his massive, 6-foot-11 frame. Away from coaches all year, Hjelle instead worked out at home in Richmond with fellow Giants farmhand Matt Winn. The angle created by Hjelle's height and overhand delivery means he doesn't necessarily have to elevate his low-90s fastball to be effective. Even so, the Giants wanted him to work on that this season in order to change hitters' eye levels and then create a tunnel for his 12-to-6 curveball to follow. Hjelle has a potentially average changeup as well.
  
  THE FUTURE: The Giants estimate Hjelle threw as many as 110 simulated innings in 2020. He should start 2021 at one of the upper levels and has a ceiling as a back-end starter.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: At Kentucky, Hjelle transitioned from the closer’s role as a freshman into the team’s Friday starter for his sophomore and junior seasons. There’s always a level of uneasiness with extraordinarily tall pitchers, but the Giants believed enough in Hjelle’s athleticism to draft him in the second round and sign him for $1.5 million. He moved three levels in his first full season as a pro, from low Class A Augusta all the way to Double-A Richmond.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Hjelle’s 6-foot-11 frame isn’t the only reason he stands out among Giants pitchers. That height helps him create extreme downhill angle with his fastball, which is why he’s one of the only pitchers in the system encouraged to go against the trend of high fastballs tunneled with diving curveballs. The fastball itself sits in the low 90s and can scrape up to 95 mph. He pairs it with an average, 12-to-6 curveball in the low 80s and a potentially average changeup that took great strides in 2019 when he changed the grip from four-seam to two-seam. The alteration helped him create more velocity separation between his fastball and changeup.
  
  THE FUTURE: Hjelle will likely return to Double-A Richmond in 2020 and has the potential to be a No. 4 starter.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: At Kentucky, Hjelle transitioned from the closer's role as a freshman into the team's Friday starter for his sophomore and junior seasons. There's always a level of uneasiness with extraordinarily tall pitchers, but the Giants believed enough in Hjelle's athleticism to draft him in the second round and sign him for $1.5 million. He moved three levels in his first full season as a pro, from low Class A Augusta all the way to Double-A Richmond.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Hjelle's 6-foot-11 frame isn't the only reason he stands out among Giants pitchers. That height helps him create extreme downhill angle with his fastball, which is why he's one of the only pitchers in the system encouraged to go against the trend of high fastballs tunneled with diving curveballs. The fastball itself sits in the low 90s and can scrape up to 95 mph. He pairs it with an average, 12-to-6 curveball in the low 80s and a potentially average changeup that took great strides in 2019 when he changed the grip from four-seam to two-seam. The alteration helped him create more velocity separation between his fastball and changeup.
  
  THE FUTURE: Hjelle will likely return to Double-A Richmond in 2020 and has the potential to be a No. 4 starter.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  The 6-foot-11 Hjelle stood out for both his size and ability. His ranked sixth in ERA (2.78) and strikeouts (74) during his time in the Cal League before an August promotion to Double-A. Hjelle showed a rare athleticism and coordination for his height more usually seen in basketball players. He repeated his clean, athletic delivery, filled up the strike zone and showed advanced feel to pitch. Hjelle’s fastball sat 92-93 mph and played up with the plane generated from his height, and he supplemented it with an average curveball. His plus changeup was voted the league’s best by opposing managers. "It looks like the fastball and then it’s gone,” Visalia manager Shawn Roof said. "Good action, good fade and good arm speed. Being 6-11, the movement and the depth, that’s what made it tough.” With his strike-throwing ability and pitchability, Hjelle projects as a mid- to back-of-the-rotation starter.
• July, 2018 Scouting Report
  The 6-foot-11 Hjelle is understandably being held on a tight innings limit after he threw 99.1 innings with Kentucky this spring. The Giants second-round pick will likely be moved more aggressively starting next year, as he has the control to cruise through the low minors despite his height. Hjelle attacks hitters with solid but unspectacular stuff. Some scouts say they believe the still-skinny Hjelle could fill out and gain another couple of ticks to his fastball, but even if he doesn’t, he projects as a useful back-of-the-rotation starter.