Tyler Hardman

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked New York Yankees #18 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Hardman proved himself for four years at Oklahoma, where he hit 24 home runs over four years, including a dozen in his senior year. He bolstered his reputation as a power broker with eight more homers in the Cape Cod League with Brewster--where he was teammates with fellow Yankees prospect Carson Coleman. He's spent most of his first two pro seasons at Class A levels but reached Double-A Somerset late in 2022, in time for the team's run to the Eastern League championship.
  
  Scouting Report: Hardman's game is built around his power potential. He swatted a system-best 22 home runs in 2022 and is one of the best ball-strikers in the organization, with an average exit velocity of 91.4 mph and raw power that is nearly double-plus. His power would be amplified further by cutting down on his swing and miss rate, which showed up in a 30.6% strikeout rate. His 27% miss rate on pitches in the zone is also worrisome, and scouts have noticed he's particularly vulnerable to sliders. Hardman was a first baseman in college but the Yankees drafted as a third baseman, and he's proved to be an average defender with an average arm.
  
  The Future: After a successful stint in the Arizona Fall League, Hardman will return to Double-A to begin 2023. If he fixes his swing-and-miss issues, he'll have a chance at being a second-division regular at third base.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 40. Power: 55. Speed: 40. Fielding: 45. Arm: 50.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #223 prospect in 2021 draft
  A four-year starter at Oklahoma, Hardman has an advantage over many prospective college draftees in that scouts and front offices have seen that he can hit for power with a wood bat. Hardman’s eight home runs were tied for third most in the Cape Cod League in 2019. Hardman did not show as much power this spring, but he did show a more advanced approach that made him one of the toughest outs in the Big 12. Hardman hit above .400 for most of the year, dipping to .397/.481/.661 by the end of the year. Hardman projects as an average hitter with above-average power. Defensively, he is average at first. He played third base in the Cape, and a team confident in its defensive development could see if he can handle a move to the hot corner, although his range there would likely be below-average.
• Ranked #424 prospect in 2020 draft
  A three-year starter for Oklahoma, Hardman’s eight home runs last summer was tied for third most in the Cape Cod League. He didn’t have as strong a spring, hitting .277/.345/.413 and he’s always struggled with strikeouts. He can get caught guessing too much as a hitter. Hardman played plenty of third base last summer in the Cape and showed better than expected actions and mobility, although he’s a bit slow twitch for the position. He’s a solid first baseman.
• Ranked #321 prospect in 2017 draft
  Hardman rose every year as he excelled in both high school and travel ball against the elite arms in talent-rich southern California. He finished his decorated career by ranking among the state leaders with nine home runs as a senior. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Hardman is a physical, naturally strong third baseman who pulls the ball in the air with authority, resulting in a high volume of extra-base hits. He has excellent bat speed and his swing is compact for a power hitter, allowing him to catch up to elite velocity. Overall he projects as an average hitter with above-average power potential, if not more. Hardman has a chance to be an average defender at third base with an average, accurate arm, but may move to first base if he gets much bigger. Either way, it will be Hardman's bat that carries him. He is committed to Oklahoma.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Hardman proved himself for four years at Oklahoma, where he hit 24 home runs over four years, including a dozen in his senior year. He bolstered his reputation as a power broker with eight more homers in the Cape Cod League with Brewster--where he was teammates with fellow Yankees prospect Carson Coleman. He's spent most of his first two pro seasons at Class A levels but reached Double-A Somerset late in 2022, in time for the team's run to the Eastern League championship.
  
  Scouting Report: Hardman's game is built around his power potential. He swatted a system-best 22 home runs in 2022 and is one of the best ball-strikers in the organization, with an average exit velocity of 91.4 mph and raw power that is nearly double-plus. His power would be amplified further by cutting down on his swing and miss rate, which showed up in a 30.6% strikeout rate. His 27% miss rate on pitches in the zone is also worrisome, and scouts have noticed he's particularly vulnerable to sliders. Hardman was a first baseman in college but the Yankees drafted as a third baseman, and he's proved to be an average defender with an average arm.
  
  The Future: After a successful stint in the Arizona Fall League, Hardman will return to Double-A to begin 2023. If he fixes his swing-and-miss issues, he'll have a chance at being a second-division regular at third base.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 40. Power: 55. Speed: 40. Fielding: 45. Arm: 50.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Hardman proved himself for four years at Oklahoma, where he hit 24 home runs over four years, including a dozen in his senior year. He bolstered his reputation as a power broker with eight more homers in the Cape Cod League with Brewster--where he was teammates with fellow Yankees prospect Carson Coleman. He's spent most of his first two pro seasons at Class A levels but reached Double-A Somerset late in 2022, in time for the team's run to the Eastern League championship.
  
  Scouting Report: Hardman's game is built around his power potential. He swatted a system-best 22 home runs in 2022 and is one of the best ball-strikers in the organization, with an average exit velocity of 91.4 mph and raw power that is nearly double-plus. His power would be amplified further by cutting down on his swing and miss rate, which showed up in a 30.6% strikeout rate. His 27% miss rate on pitches in the zone is also worrisome, and scouts have noticed he's particularly vulnerable to sliders. Hardman was a first baseman in college but the Yankees drafted as a third baseman, and he's proved to be an average defender with an average arm.
  
  The Future: After a successful stint in the Arizona Fall League, Hardman will return to Double-A to begin 2023. If he fixes his swing-and-miss issues, he'll have a chance at being a second-division regular at third base.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 40. Power: 55. Speed: 40. Fielding: 45. Arm: 50.