Sam Hentges

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #23 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: Hentges didn't pitch much until he was a junior in high school and was one of the youngest players in the 2014 draft class. He had Tommy John surgery in 2016, but had a breakout 2018 in high Class A. That breakout slowed in Double-A Akron in 2019, though he improved as the season went on and was added to the 40-man roster. He pitched well at the alternate training site in 2020.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Hentges has a big, physical frame that he has grown into since signing and he has the powerful fastball to match. His fastball averages about 93 mph and he can run it into the upper 90s. He overpowered hitters with it early in his career and now is learning to rely more on his secondary stuff. His three offspeed offerings have potential--his curveball flashes plus, his changeup has promise and his cutter gives him another option. Like many big, young pitchers, Hentges needs to improve his control and take better advantage of his height to pitch down in the zone. His arm action can be long, hurting his ability to repeat his delivery.
  
  THE FUTURE: Hentges is a 6-foot-8 lefthander with a big arm who is still just 24. He needs to refine some of the finer parts of his game, but the potential is still easy to see.
• 
  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #17 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Hentges didn't pitch much until he was a junior in high school and was one of the youngest players in the 2014 draft class. He started his professional career slowly, in part because he needed Tommy John surgery in 2016, but had a breakout 2018 with high Class A Lynchburg. He took a step back in 2019, though he improved as the season went on.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: His fastball averages about 93 mph and he can run it up to 97 mph. The pitch was good enough to overpower lower-level hitters, but against Eastern League hitters he needed to use his secondary stuff more and the results weren't as good. His three offspeed offerings have potential – his curveball flashes plus, his changeup has promise and he added a cutter in 2018 that gives him another option. Like many big, young pitchers, Hentges needs to improve his control and take better advantage of his height to pitch down in the zone. His arm action can be long, hurting his ability to repeat pitches.
  
  THE FUTURE: Hentges needs to refine some of the finer parts of his game, but the potential is still easy to see. He'll likely return to Akron to start the season with a chance to get back on track.
• 
  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #6 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: Hentges was raw even for a prep player from Minnesota when the Indians drafted him in 2014. He was one of the youngest players in the 2014 draft class and didn't pitch much until late in his junior year of high school. He started his pro career slowly, in part because he needed Tommy John surgery in 2016. Back to full health in 2018, he took a big step forward with high Class A Lynchburg, where he ranked third in the Carolina League in strikeouts (122).
  
  Scouting Report: Hentges has a big, physical frame that he has grown into since signing and he has the powerful fastball to match. His fastball averages about 93 mph and he can run it up to 97. Because his fastball is so good, he can overpower lower-level hitters with it, but as he advances, he'll have to refine his secondary offerings. The good news is he has the makings of three good offspeed pitches. His curveball flashes plus--he just needs to throw it more consistently. This year he added a cutter to give him another weapon and he also mixes in a promising changeup. Like many big, young pitchers, Hentges needs to improve his control and take better advantage of his height to pitch down in the zone.
  
  The Future: Having shown he can handle a full-season's workload, Hentges can now focus on refining some of the more detailed areas of his game. He has mid-rotation potential and will likely begin the 2019 season with Double-A Akron.
• 
  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #18 prospect in 2018
  Hentges was raw even for a prep player from Minnesota when the Indians drafted him in 2014. He was one of the youngest players in the draft class and didn't pitch much until late in his junior year of high school. He has come along slowly in the minor leagues, in part because he needed Tommy John surgery during the 2016 season. Hentges returned to the mound in 2017 and finished the season strong at short-season Mahoning Valley. During his rehab, he improved his physique and filled out his big, physical frame. He has a quick arm and his fastball sits at 92-95 mph. His best secondary pitch is his curveball, which is a plus pitch at its best. His changeup is still developing, but shows promise. He has gotten better in pro ball at repeating his delivery and returned from injury throwing more strikes. Hentges will still be just 21 years old on Opening Day 2018 and has significant upside. He will likely start the season at low Class A Lake County.
• 
  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #31 prospect in 2015
  Two years after taking fellow prep Minnesotan Mitch Brown in the second round of the 2012 draft, the Indians returned to the Land of 10,000 Lakes with another high pick. They snagged Hentges, the state's best prospect in 2014, in the fourth round and signed him for $700,000, keeping him away from Arkansas. Hentges is plenty raw, and not just because he's a high school player from a cold-weather state. He was one of the youngest players in the 2014 draft class, not turning 18 until July, and he was primarily an outfielder until the summer before his senior year. Nonetheless, he has picked up pitching quickly. His fastball sits in the high 80s right now and can get up to 94 mph, and he has plenty of projection left. Hentges has an outstanding pitcher's frame and throws with a clean, repeatable delivery that shouldn't require much tweaking. His changeup and three-quarters curveball are both in the early stages of development, but he does show feel for them. His curve is ahead, showing bite and good spin. He also already does a good job of throwing strikes and working down in the zone. The Indians could challenge Hentges with an assignment to low Class A Lake County in 2015, but given his youth, a stay in extended spring training wouldn't be a surprise.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #213 prospect in 2014 draft
  Hentges, whose father played college baseball in the Land of 1,000 Lakes, stands out in a down year in Minnesota and is expected to join fellow Minnesotan Logan Shore, who was Florida's ace as a freshman, in the Southeastern Conference next year. The Arkansas signee intrigues scouts this year for his size and the work he has done to improve his body. Previously listed as heavy at 248 pounds, Hentges is now closer to 220 with a sturdier 6-foot-6 frame. He has gradually improved his fastball velocity and usually sits in the 86-91 mph range with a peak of 93. Hentges' curveball lacks power, though it has decent shape, and he's still fairly raw on the mound. He also features plus raw power at the plate, with modest bat speed and a swing with some length.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Carolina League #11 prospect in 2018
  One of the youngest players in the 2014 draft class, Hentges missed the end of 2016 and most of 2017 recovering from Tommy John surgery. He returned in fine form this year, leading all Carolina League starters with 9.3 strikeouts per nine innings and finishing second with a 3.27 ERA. The big 6-foot-6 lefty has an excellent frame and a quality 91-94 mph fastball that touches 96. He generates solid plane with his fastball, and the development of a hard cutter this season elevated him as a starting pitching prospect. Hentges’ 88-90 mph cutter is an average pitch right now in some outings and has a chance to be above-average in the future. Hentges’ changeup shows potential as well thanks to late tailing action, giving him the third pitch required to start. Hentges’ delivery isn’t ideal with his arm often catching up to his body, and his control (4.0 BB/9) needs to continue to improve. But, he has the frame and arsenal to be a solid No. 4 starter and now has a season of health to build on.

• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Hentges didn't pitch much until he was a junior in high school and was one of the youngest players in the 2014 draft class. He had Tommy John surgery in 2016, but had a breakout 2018 in high Class A. That breakout slowed in Double-A Akron in 2019, though he improved as the season went on and was added to the 40-man roster. He pitched well at the alternate training site in 2020.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Hentges has a big, physical frame that he has grown into since signing and he has the powerful fastball to match. His fastball averages about 93 mph and he can run it into the upper 90s. He overpowered hitters with it early in his career and now is learning to rely more on his secondary stuff. His three offspeed offerings have potential--his curveball flashes plus, his changeup has promise and his cutter gives him another option. Like many big, young pitchers, Hentges needs to improve his control and take better advantage of his height to pitch down in the zone. His arm action can be long, hurting his ability to repeat his delivery.
  
  THE FUTURE: Hentges is a 6-foot-8 lefthander with a big arm who is still just 24. He needs to refine some of the finer parts of his game, but the potential is still easy to see.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Hentges didn't pitch much until he was a junior in high school and was one of the youngest players in the 2014 draft class. He had Tommy John surgery in 2016, but had a breakout 2018 in high Class A. That breakout slowed in Double-A Akron in 2019, though he improved as the season went on and was added to the 40-man roster. He pitched well at the alternate training site in 2020.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Hentges has a big, physical frame that he has grown into since signing and he has the powerful fastball to match. His fastball averages about 93 mph and he can run it into the upper 90s. He overpowered hitters with it early in his career and now is learning to rely more on his secondary stuff. His three offspeed offerings have potential--his curveball flashes plus, his changeup has promise and his cutter gives him another option. Like many big, young pitchers, Hentges needs to improve his control and take better advantage of his height to pitch down in the zone. His arm action can be long, hurting his ability to repeat his delivery.
  
  THE FUTURE: Hentges is a 6-foot-8 lefthander with a big arm who is still just 24. He needs to refine some of the finer parts of his game, but the potential is still easy to see.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Hentges didn't pitch much until he was a junior in high school and was one of the youngest players in the 2014 draft class. He had Tommy John surgery in 2016, but had a breakout 2018 in high Class A. That breakout slowed in Double-A Akron in 2019, though he improved as the season went on and was added to the 40-man roster. He pitched well at the alternate training site in 2020.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Hentges has a big, physical frame that he has grown into since signing and he has the powerful fastball to match. His fastball averages about 93 mph and he can run it into the upper 90s. He overpowered hitters with it early in his career and now is learning to rely more on his secondary stuff. His three offspeed offerings have potential--his curveball flashes plus, his changeup has promise and his cutter gives him another option. Like many big, young pitchers, Hentges needs to improve his control and take better advantage of his height to pitch down in the zone. His arm action can be long, hurting his ability to repeat his delivery.
  
  THE FUTURE: Hentges is a 6-foot-8 lefthander with a big arm who is still just 24. He needs to refine some of the finer parts of his game, but the potential is still easy to see.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Hentges didn’t pitch much until he was a junior in high school and was one of the youngest players in the 2014 draft class. He started his professional career slowly, in part because he needed Tommy John surgery in 2016, but had a breakout 2018 with high Class A Lynchburg. He took a step back in 2019, though he improved as the season went on.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: His fastball averages about 93 mph and he can run it up to 97 mph. The pitch was good enough to overpower lower-level hitters, but against Eastern League hitters he needed to use his BA GRADE 50 Risk: High BA GRADE 45 Risk: Medium BA GRADE 50 Risk: Very High secondary stuff more and the results weren’t as good. His three offspeed offerings have potential – his curveball flashes plus, his changeup has promise and he added a cutter in 2018 that gives him another option. Like many big, young pitchers, Hentges needs to improve his control and take better advantage of his height to pitch down in the zone. His arm action can be long, hurting his ability to repeat pitches.
  
  THE FUTURE: Hentges needs to refine some of the finer parts of his game, but the potential is still easy to see. He’ll likely return to Akron to start the season with a chance to get back on track.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Hentges didn't pitch much until he was a junior in high school and was one of the youngest players in the 2014 draft class. He started his professional career slowly, in part because he needed Tommy John surgery in 2016, but had a breakout 2018 with high Class A Lynchburg. He took a step back in 2019, though he improved as the season went on.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: His fastball averages about 93 mph and he can run it up to 97 mph. The pitch was good enough to overpower lower-level hitters, but against Eastern League hitters he needed to use his secondary stuff more and the results weren't as good. His three offspeed offerings have potential – his curveball flashes plus, his changeup has promise and he added a cutter in 2018 that gives him another option. Like many big, young pitchers, Hentges needs to improve his control and take better advantage of his height to pitch down in the zone. His arm action can be long, hurting his ability to repeat pitches.
  
  THE FUTURE: Hentges needs to refine some of the finer parts of his game, but the potential is still easy to see. He'll likely return to Akron to start the season with a chance to get back on track.
• July, 2018 Scouting Report
  Hentges is in his first fully healthy season following Tommy John surgery and has already set a career high in innings pitched while running his fastball up to 96 mph and mixing in a plus breaking ball. Listed at 6-foot-6, 245 pounds, he gives hitters a tough look and can miss bats with his fastball.