Nolan Hoffman Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Nolan Hoffman
Born 08/09/1997 in Lincoln, NE
Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 190 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Texas A&M
Drafted in the 5th round (148th overall) by the Seattle Mariners in 2018 (signed for $300,000).

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Hoffman is a true sidearm reliever who has enough fastball (88-93 mph) to make life difficult for same side hitters. But in pro ball he’s going to have to figure out how to master either a changeup or a sweepy slurve. Right now he relies almost entirely on that fastball, but he can work his fastball to arm-side or glove-side, so hitters can’t get comfortable leaning out over the plate.

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Track Record: After spending two seasons at Hutchinson (Kan.) JC, Hutchinson went to Texas A&M. He posted a 1.24 ERA in 32 relief appearances in 2018, then signed for $300,000 after being drafted by the Mariners in the fifth round. He started his pro career with six short appearances in the Rookie-level Arizona League. In July, Hoffman was promoted to short-season Everett, where he posted a 2.45 ERA.

Scouting Report: Hoffman could be considered the next version of fellow Mariners righthander Wyatt Mills, because he delivers pitches from a low arm slot. Hoffman pitches from an even lower slot than Mills, using submarine depth while drawing comparisons with major league reliever Darren O'Day. His upper-80s to low-90s fastball is an average pitch that comes across the plate heavy with late, plus sink. His fastball plays up because he locates it to both sides of the plate, while his fringe-average slider has whip and three-quarter tilt. He has below-average stuff now with plus movement and projected plus command.

The Future: Like Mills, Hoffman has enough stuff, command and deception to move quickly. If he doesn't skip a level and start the 2019 season at high Class A Modesto, then he should get there before the end of the year. An uptick in velocity and improvement in his breaking ball would help solidify his projection as a solid middle reliever.